Introduction
Good day learners :). I hope you are all well and staying safe.
Please click on the link below to watch a short introduction video to today's lesson:
Task
Today we will be doing the poem "Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" by John Donne. I have linked a copy of the poem for you, as well as a recording of the reading of the poem.
You are to analyse the poem on your own in your virtual collaborative groups. I have linked additional notes that may help with the contextual and essay questions.
You are expected to complete the contextual questions and the essay question individually. The main purpose of this poetry lesson is to sharpen your knowledge on imagery and symbols found in poetry, so make sure that that remains your focus when analysing this poem and answering the questions.
All the resources you need have been linked.
Process
You can find your copy of the poem here: A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning by John Donne | Poetry Foundation
Watch the following video of a recording of the poem:
After watching the recording and reading the poem, in groups of four analyse the poem together and virtually collaborate and record your analyses in your writing books. It is important to analyse the poem because you will be asked contextual questions on the poem.
Here are additional notes of the poem that may help you when answering the contextual questions: Donne’s Poetry “A Valediction: forbidding Mourning” Summary & Analysis | SparkNotes
NOTE: these additional notes are not the full analysis of the poem, therefore you still need to analyse the poem on your own. There are no shortcuts here! You may add the additional notes to your original analysis of the poem.
Evaluation
CONTEXTUAL QUESTIONS:
1. Identify two phrases from the poem that show that the speaker wants the farewell to be a quiet, calm affair. (2)
2. State two differences between the speaker's love and the love of "sublunary lovers' love". (2)
3. How does the conceit "As stiff twin compasses" shape your understanding of the relationship between the lovers? (4)
4. Discuss the effectiveness of the poet's use of the paradox and contrast in the final two lines of the poem. (2)
These answers will be marked during our next lesson.
ESSAY QUESTION:
In an essay of 250-300 words, critically discuss how Donne uses images and form to portray his love as fixed and firm. (20)
Use the following rubric as a guideline for your essay: Essay Rubric.pdf (readwritethink.org)
This rubric will be used to mark your essay.
You have 5 days to complete the essay and submit via e-mail.
Conclusion
After analysing the poem and completing the contextual questions, you are more clear on what imagery and symbols are in poetry and how important they are. Do you see how the poet uses images to express his feelings and to describe what is happening in the poem? If you understand this concept then you have mastered the concept of this lesson!
Use the resources given to you in this lesson to do further reading on symbols, and imagery and conceits in poetry. This will only sharpen your knowledge, not just in poetry, but in literature overall.
I hope you have enjoyed the lesson and learned as much as I had intended you to :).
Don't forget about your essay! Happy writing:)