Analysing ideas of oppression, heritage and place in Zephaniah's 'We Refugees'
I can explain how Zephaniah uses language and structure to express ideas of heritage, oppression and place in 'We Refugees'.
Analysing ideas of oppression, heritage and place in Zephaniah's 'We Refugees'
I can explain how Zephaniah uses language and structure to express ideas of heritage, oppression and place in 'We Refugees'.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Zephaniah's use of oppressive verbs throughout the poem reflect the oppressive regimes people flee from.
- Arguably, Zephaniah suggests that the oppression continues once the refugees have arrived "somewhere".
- The juxtaposition surrounding the ideas of place could reflect how easily somewhere can shift to a war or disaster.
- The change from "forest" to "field" could suggest how people lose connections to their heritage through refugeeism.
Keywords
Refugee - a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution or natural disaster
Oppression - prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority
Heritage - the history, traditions, practices etc. of a particular country, society
Belonging - a feeling of being happy or comfortable as part of a particular group
Suppressed - to prevent something from being seen or expressed
Common misconception
That refugees come from places that have always been war torn and a disaster zone.
Refugees can come from anywhere - places that used to be beautiful but have changed through war, regime change or natural disaster.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the Edexcel Belonging anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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