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Original poster

William Blake poetry in yr 7

40 replies

Emochild · 09/12/2015 20:31

Dd has been asked to explain how we know the poem London by William Blake has a key theme of constriction -using a PEE paragraph for her answer

She's 11 -seems a little hard to me

Is this normal in which case I shall google the answer with her or is this homework a bit hard ? in which case I shall send a note in saying she tried but didn't have a clue

OP posts:
hesterton · 09/12/2015 20:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Emochild · 09/12/2015 20:36

She's top set, it's the first time she's done anything like that

They haven't discussed it in class it's been set as 'challenge' homework (which is compulsory)

OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 09/12/2015 20:39

Well, if it's a "challenge" homework, then surely she's supposed to look it up?

KingscoteStaff · 09/12/2015 20:40

Does she understand the PEE structure? If she was entered for the Level 6 reading paper in Year 6 then she probably learnt about it then.

Ancienchateau · 09/12/2015 20:44

I'd say it's a good challenge for a year 7 student to understand how poetry works. The Songs of Innocence and Experience are ideal for this imo. Get her to look at language - underline words - and think about why the poet has used those particular ones (sorry if that's obvious) and look at use of repetition.

Ancienchateau · 09/12/2015 20:45

Sorry no idea what "PEE structure" is!

Iwonderwhy123 · 09/12/2015 20:53

That does sound hard for an 11 year old.

The poems theme of constriction is shown by use of words and phrases describing restrictions or people being trapped in their lives such as "mind forged manacles". Repeated use of certain words like "cry" and "charter'd" continue the theme as the language and words used in he poem are restricted themselves.

When does the homework need to be in? I think a note to the teacher asking for more in depth conversations with your DD to explain would be good!

Iwonderwhy123 · 09/12/2015 20:56

PEE structure basically means
Make your POINT, show EVIDENCE, then EVALUATE.
E.g. By repeating certain words in the poem such as "cry" the language itself is restricted and constrictive

Original poster
Emochild · 09/12/2015 23:18

The teacher has given them a list of word meanings as support

Charter'd is listed as booked transport ??

She's done it

She's done pee paragraphs before but this teacher has said it's point, evidence, explain

She's always done explanation included with evidence then evaluate so she wasn't really sure where she was going with it -the only word she's picked up with is manacled and she was worrying that it wasn't a theme if there was just one word

OP posts:
IguanaTail · 09/12/2015 23:21

Tell her not to worry. It will be a good kick off point for the teacher to see how they manage to put together the PEE (which could also stand for point, evidence, explanation depending on the level )

lljkk · 09/12/2015 23:22

Ruddy Hades, glad I have a middle set kid.

ConesOfDunshire · 10/12/2015 00:42

Charter'd is listed as booked transport ??

I can't decide if this is hilarious or depressing. Either way, it's wrong.

The 18th C. meaning of 'chartered' refers to the documents of ownership, or charters, drawn up when an individual buys a plot of land. Blake is drawing attention to the buying-up of every corner of London, and the fact that even the Thames is for sale. There is also a pun on the secondary meaning of 'chartered', meaning 'mapped out.'

Ancienchateau · 10/12/2015 06:29

Yes charter'd is a legal / mapping term.

Manacles is a good word to look at especially when combined with the 2 preceding words "mind-forg’d". There are plenty more words suggesting constriction.

IguanaTail · 10/12/2015 06:33

I would also expect her to pick up on the repetition throughout and to have some ideas about what this could suggest.

RalphSteadmansEye · 10/12/2015 08:45

Blimey. Charter'd = booked transport???

That's extremely depressing.

Gruach · 10/12/2015 09:00

"Booked transport"?

Blake was writing about Uber?

Xmas Confused
Pepperpot99 · 10/12/2015 10:06

There's nothing terribly oblique about 'blood run(ning) down the palace walls' IMO.

Plenty of folk are clueless though, and would not have any idea about Blake's vocabulary. Sad.

Pepperpot99 · 10/12/2015 10:07

'Charter' - map/apportioning of land and property.

YeOldeTrout · 10/12/2015 13:22

This thread is reminding me why I hate poetry so much. Why can't they just write what they mean in plain English. (shudder)

Pepperpot99 · 10/12/2015 16:26

Gosh how sad that you 'hate poetry so much'.

IguanaTail · 10/12/2015 20:37

How about songs, Trout? Should they be just in plain English?

Christmas carols would be dull:

Put up your decorations and have fun.
The night was silent.
The King looked at the snow.
Let it snow.

Muskey · 10/12/2015 20:41

I knew that I hated William Blake for a reason. Personally I think Blake is a bit tough even for a dc who has achieved level six in English

winterswan · 10/12/2015 20:43

Im not sure I agree this is too hard, but the teacher is certainly wrong in the interpretation of "chartered."

RalphSteadmansEye · 10/12/2015 20:52

Well, quite.

So, not too hard for a bright year 7, just for their teacher.

minionwithdms · 10/12/2015 21:47

This isn't necessarily too hard, but the teacher's incorrect definition really doesn't help - the idea of 'chartering' as a way of controlling and confining the river and the streets is central to the theme of constriction in the poem.

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