1. Year 10 Poetry Collection
Lesson 6 – ‘Cousin Kate’ by Christina Rossetti

2. Learning Objective
To understand how Rossetti has used narrative form and language in the poem to explore relationships and evoke sympathy in the reader.
Outcomes:
You MUST annotate your poem independently with as much info as possible. You will need this for your revision next year.
Anything you miss, it is your responsibility to catch up/complete Flipped Learning

3. Read and listen First impressions? What is it about? Repeated ideas?
Tone? Message?
Words – specific/interesting/unusual?
Alliteration or other devices?
Rhyme and rhythm?
Structure?

4. Glossary
flaxen lured woe’s me thereof cast me by sport rye mean estate sire coronet
pale-yellow
tempted into a trap
sorrow/misfortune is mine
of this
threw me off
games
cereal crop
poor background/home
father
crown

5. Who was she? Victorian era poet – art brother, Dante Gabriel
Poem deals with women’s rights and equality…however, Rossetti was not part of the suffrage movement
Rossetti raised in London during Victorian period but was from a family of Italian immigrants
She began writing when she was very young
‘Cousin Kate’ written at height of her career

6. Poem: Love and betrayal
Modern interpretations
Original phrases
no longer a virgin
you worry
I’m such a fool to have been so happy about it
not aware that I was pretty
married him
your father would pay a lot
dumped me
a poor home
Rhyme scheme – pattern. Why?
Impact on reader? (Ballad, traditional)
Understanding of poem: complete grid
Next, look at each stanza separately and
decide who is involved, what is
happening, and emotions involved

7. Words used in poem – contrasts. Why?

8. Message of poem? Shame, social standing, roles of men and women…
Where is this evident in the poem?
Impact of this?
What is Rossetti trying to get us to think/feel?

9. Consolidation
How does Rossetti effectively present the emotive voice of Kate’s cousin in the poem and what emotions are expressed throughout the poem?
Two paragraphs, please.

10. Peer assessment Are they using correct terminology?
Are they using appropriate quotations?
References to language, structure and form?
GCSE Mark Scheme for Paper 2 Section B 
Level 1
Identification of language, form and structure is minimal.
Little evidence of relevant subject terminology.
Level 2
There is some comment on the language, form and structure of the text.
Limited use of relevant subject terminology to support examples given.
Level 3
The response shows an understanding of a range of language, form and structure features and links these to their effect on the reader.
Relevant subject terminology is used to support examples given.
Level 4
Analysis of language, form and structure features and their effect on the reader is sustained.
Relevant subject terminology is used accurately and appropriately to develop ideas.
Level 5
The response is a cohesive evaluation of the interrelationship of language, form and structure and their effect on the reader.
Relevant subject terminology is integrated and precise.