What connotations does darkness/night have? Why are people afraid of the dark? What connotations does darkness/night have?

LO: To explore the power of nature in the poem ‘The Prelude’

William Wordsworth Poetic Theory: He was born in Cockermouth in Cumbria, part of the region commonly known as the Lake District, and his birthplace had a huge influence on his writing. Wordsworth spent most of his time with his grandparents who lived in nearby Penrith, an even wilder and more rugged place. Samuel Taylor Coleridge stayed with Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy in 1796. They worked together on poems which became the collection called Lyrical Ballads, published two years later. This volume is a key text in the school of poetry known as 'The Romantics’. Wordsworth was made Poet Laureate (the Queen's poet) in 1843. Poetic Theory: Purpose: Through poetry we might “discover what is really important to men”. This must be inspired by nature, and poetic language should be associated with the beauty and terror of nature. Style: we should use common, everyday characters from pastoral “rural life” and low language of the common man.

First Impressions Listen to the poem What is it about? Highlight any words or phrases that you think are effective. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/poetryplace/thepreluderev2.shtml

Themes, ideas, attitudes and feelings In groups of 4 discuss the following statements. Decide how far you agree with them on a scale of 1-5 (1 being not at all). Select evidence to support your views The boy feels guilty for stealing the boat and the grim shapes of the mountains appear to reinforce his guilt. When you are on your own and it’s dark, ordinary sights and sounds can seem more powerful or mysterious. The boy is overwhelmed by the power of nature and feels insignificant. The strange feelings he experienced that night have haunted him ever since.

Discussion Points What is the conflict experienced by the poet? How is power presented? Key Definition: The Sublime - Sights that cause thrill and pleasure, but can also evoke feelings of terror. This was often used in association with nature e.g. mountains

Rhythm Is there use of rhyme? How is this effective? Why is it effective? How would you describe the style and how the poem reads (use the context to help you)?

Language In pairs label yourself A and B… Student A to highlight and annotate the positive representation of nature in one colour Student B to highlight natural imagery that suggest the poet’s terror in another. Together discuss where the speaker’s view of nature changes? Why?

Writer’s feelings Explain the moods and feelings of the writer and how they change as the poem progresses. Select quotes that help you decide on this.

Plenary On the post- it note, write down one question about the poem for your partner to answer

Homework Compare the ways poets present ideas about power in ‘The Prelude’ and in one other poem from ‘Power and conflict’. The poem that you compare does not have to be about nature. It is fine for the poems to portray power & conflict differently