Analysing ideas of time and loss of innocence in Larkin's 'Afternoons'
I can analyse how Larkin presents the themes of a loss of innocence and the passage of time in ‘Afternoons’.
Analysing ideas of time and loss of innocence in Larkin's 'Afternoons'
I can analyse how Larkin presents the themes of a loss of innocence and the passage of time in ‘Afternoons’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Larkin presents the young couples as having lost their youthfulness as a result of having children.
- Larkin arguably presents the responsibility of having a child as burdensome in the poem.
- The title could reflect that these couples are in the 'afternoon' of their lives, creating a pitiful tone.
- Larkin uses contrasting tones in the first stanza, perhaps to reflect the expectation vs the reality of having a child.
- Larkin’s ominous and, at times, foreboding tone could represent time creeping up on the young couples.
Keywords
Cynical - being distrustful of people - believing the worst about their intentions and their integrity
Burdensome - undesirably restrictive
Tone - how the writer conveys their attitude towards their subject matter
Foreboding - giving the sense that something bad is going to happen
Autonomy - a person’s freedom and independence
Common misconception
Students often want to be told the 'right' answer in English and think there is a right answer for every question.
There are no 'right' answers in this lesson - this lesson asks students to consider different possibilities and interpretations and to make up their own minds about the poem.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Analysing ideas of time and loss of innocence in Larkin's 'Afternoons', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Analysing ideas of time and loss of innocence in Larkin's 'Afternoons', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the Poetry anthology unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the Eduqas poetry anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
being distrustful of people
undesirably restrictive
how the writer conveys their attitude towards their subject matter
giving the sense that something bad is going to happen
a person’s freedom and independence