‘The Bargain’ Liz Lochhead

GLASGOW Has anyone lived in or visited Glasgow? Can you think of/ remember any particular buildings/ areas/ venues? What were they like? What did they make you think of? If you were dropped off in Glasgow town centre, do you think you could make your way towards them now?

Google maps TASK Using your phone, follow the route the speaker has taken from the river up to London Road and along to the Barras using street view. This is an area close to Parkhead football stadium, the home of Celtic FC. The opening of the poem references an Old Firm game, where Celtic would play Rangers FC; probably a New Year derby.

remember This poem was first published in 1978! This was a time when Glasgow was a much more deprived city than it is today.

summarising We are going to summarise the poem by breaking it into sections as it is quite long. (This can be done in class or as a Homework activity). As you summarise, try to follow the Who? What? Where? When? Why? pattern. This way you will be summarising as much as possible. FEEDBACK This can be done as a whole class activity or in groups. If done in groups, pupils who summarised different sections should be together so as to cover the whole poem Feedback can be done verbally or in poster format.

Storyboard or mini-book (individually) Once you have completed summarising the poem in full, reduce it down to 6 main points. (6 sentences for storyboarding, slightly more for a mini-book). Now illustrate your summaries. These can be displayed or used for revision aids.

Scene setting (group work) In pairs, highlight all words and phrases that describe the scene. Then add these words or phrases on sticky notes which can be stuck to a printed out map of Glasgow in the appropriate areas. You can also print out and add photographs of these places. As a class, use this annotated map to discuss what kind of picture of Glasgow has been created and how.

The relationship This poem is about a relationship in decline. Individually, identify any language in the poem that describes a relationship. TASK You are going to create a diary entry of the trip to the market. The speaker of the poem is reflecting on the state of the relationship, so the diary must attempt to do the same. Take clues from the poem to describe the relationship and the speaker’s fears about the relationship. This activity will help you learn and understand the relationship more fully.

Relationship - prediction TASK Take your diary entries further by predicting the aftermath of the poem. Answer these questions – What happened when they got home? How does the speaker feel about it? If you are quite creative with this, there is scope for it to be developed into a potential folio piece!

Comparison The city and the relationship Hopefully you will have noticed by now the fairly negative portrayal of both the city and the relationship. Now, compare the two; often where the city is being described (including what they see in the market), it is actually referencing the state of the relationship. TASK In small groups, collect the references to the city and the market. Apply these to the relationship. Use a table like this – An example has been done for you. What it says What it means ‘twitch and fret’ In the same way the police are waiting for the football supporters to cause trouble, the speaker is waiting for trouble to emerge on their, so far, happy day.