1. Base Details
Learning Objective: To explore the theme of conflict as it is shown in Base Details.
KW: tone, language, layout, rhythm, rhyme, theme
MUST: Demonstrate understanding of how the theme is demonstrated within the poem
SHOULD: Be able to choose and explore ‘rich’ quotes linked to the theme
COULD: Explore an alternative viewpoint about conflict linked to the poem

2. Unit 3: Clashes and Collisions
Task: Explore the ways poets present their ideas about conflict. You should refer to the poem below and two poems from the Clashes and Collisions collection (24)
Base Details
If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath
I’d live with scarlet Majors at the Base,
And speed glum heroes up the line to death.
You’d see me with my puffy petulant face,
Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel
Reading the Roll of Honour. “Poor young chap,”
I’d say – “I used to know his father well;
Yes, we’ve lost heavily in this last scrap.”
And when the war is done and youth stone dead,
I’d toddle safely home and die – in bed
Siegfried Sassoon
Using the TRUE or FALSE statements, annotate the poem with the statements you think are TRUE

3. Unit 3: Clashes and Collisions
What CONFLICT(s) can we find in the poem?
Highlight any references to conflict:
physical conflict
mental conflict
personal conflict
reader’s conflict

4. GROUP 1: Adjective and verbs
Base Details
If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath
I’d live with scarlet Majors at the Base,
And speed glum heroes up the line to death.
You’d see me with my puffy petulant face,
Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel
Reading the Roll of Honour. “Poor young chap,”
I’d say – “I used to know his father well;
Yes, we’ve lost heavily in this last scrap.”
And when the war is done and youth stone dead,
I’d toddle safely home and die – in bed
Siegfried Sassoon

5. GROUP 2: Tone and Feelings
Base Details
If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath
I’d live with scarlet Majors at the Base,
And speed glum heroes up the line to death.
You’d see me with my puffy petulant face,
Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel
Reading the Roll of Honour. “Poor young chap,”
I’d say – “I used to know his father well;
Yes, we’ve lost heavily in this last scrap.”
And when the war is done and youth stone dead,
I’d toddle safely home and die – in bed
Siegfried Sassoon

6. GROUP 3: Alliteration and imagery
Base Details
If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath
I’d live with scarlet Majors at the Base,
And speed glum heroes up the line to death.
You’d see me with my puffy petulant face,
Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel
Reading the Roll of Honour. “Poor young chap,”
I’d say – “I used to know his father well;
Yes, we’ve lost heavily in this last scrap.”
And when the war is done and youth stone dead,
I’d toddle safely home and die – in bed
Siegfried Sassoon

7. GROUP 4: Rhythm and Rhyme
Base Details
If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath
I’d live with scarlet Majors at the Base,
And speed glum heroes up the line to death.
You’d see me with my puffy petulant face,
Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel
Reading the Roll of Honour. “Poor young chap,”
I’d say – “I used to know his father well;
Yes, we’ve lost heavily in this last scrap.”
And when the war is done and youth stone dead,
I’d toddle safely home and die – in bed
Siegfried Sassoon

8. GROUP 5: Theme Base Details
If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath
I’d live with scarlet Majors at the Base,
And speed glum heroes up the line to death.
You’d see me with my puffy petulant face,
Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel
Reading the Roll of Honour. “Poor young chap,”
I’d say – “I used to know his father well;
Yes, we’ve lost heavily in this last scrap.”
And when the war is done and youth stone dead,
I’d toddle safely home and die – in bed
Siegfried Sassoon

9. STRUCTURE Base Details If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath
I’d live with scarlet Majors at the Base,
And speed glum heroes up the line to death.
You’d see me with my puffy petulant face,
Guzzling and gulping in the best hotel
Reading the Roll of Honour. “Poor young chap,”
I’d say – “I used to know his father well;
Yes, we’ve lost heavily in this last scrap.”
And when the war is done and youth stone dead,
I’d toddle safely home and die – in bed
Siegfried Sassoon

10. Using the words below, write 10 sentences about the poem ‘Base Details’. Remember to use your notes to help you. Each sentence must use a different word related to ‘Conflict’.

11. How does the poet present conflict in ‘Base Details’?
Pair Work: Plenary
How does the poet present conflict in ‘Base Details’?
1 PEEEEEE chain
Use your notes
Use the key words
Use large sheets of paper to record the huge PEEE chain down. Then students swap work to mark another group. Give out the mark scheme for each student.