Approaches to unseen poetry
Mood and atmosphere
Look at the following pictures and discuss with a learning partner the mood/atmosphere that is evoked and what leads you to feel this. Your ideas should be instant – you will have 10 seconds to consider each picture.
Look at the following words and phrases and discuss with a learning partner the mood/atmosphere that is evoked and what leads you to feel this.
TIP: Try to be TENTATIVE –use words like “perhaps” and phrases such as “this may mean”, “this suggests” or “this may imply”.
| “On my desk is a photograph of you taken by the woman who loved you then.” |
This suggests looking back – a nostalgic mood. There is a sense of bitterness – someone else took the photo (“the woman” is not friendly).
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| “How good to rise in sunlight” |
This suggests hope and optimism. “Sunlight” may evoke happiness.
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| “elderly ladies shrivel away” |
'Shrivel' suggests dying slowly or decaying. It could refer to something past its prime. This may lead to a mood of sadness.
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| “Weighed down by paper bags And tired, string-tied coat” |
Heaviness, burden and poverty are suggested here by “weighed down”. A mood of sorrow, pain and loneliness is evoked.
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| “I stood at the edge of my child's sleep hearing her breathe;” |
This is a gentle and quiet atmosphere as “stood at the edge” suggests not wanting to disturb.
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| Slightly leftover Like the last, curled sandwich When all the guests Have gone. |
Regret and/or abandonment is perhaps the mood here. These will end up in the bin. not wanted, suggesting a uselessness.
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