This document discusses themes of power and conflict that can be used to link 15 poems. It provides examples of subthemes like pride and glory, man vs nature, and inner conflict. For each subtheme, it analyzes several poems, describing the conflict portrayed and how it is shown linguistically. For example, Ozymandias shows the conflict between pride and the ephemeral nature of power through ironic language, and Storm on the Island contrasts man and nature, emphasizing nature's power through harsh imagery.

1. Linking poems by theme
Thursday 9th February
Tip: These 15 poems have been chosen so
that every one could be linked by a theme
to at least one other poem – There are no
odd ones out!

2. Examples of some themes
• All of the themes are do with the overall topic of “power and
conflict” but there can be narrowed down further than this
by thinking: What is the conflict going on here?
• Pride and glory
• Man vs Nature
• Inner conflict
• The past or identity
Looking at these example
subthemes of conflict – can
you think of any poems that
could be categorised into
any of them?

3. Pride or glory
• These poems capture a sense of pride and
glory – but also shame. The conflict here is
between what people want and the reality of it
all. These poets are often sending a message
out about the price of vanity or corruption.
Pride or Glory
OZYMANDIAS – Was proud and built
many monuments to himself, now almost all
faded away: What did his pride achieve and
does power ever truly last?
How is it shown? Use of irony or puns which
undermine Ozymandias – it emphasises
emptiness and the way his power all seems
reduced to dust

4. Pride or glory
• These poems capture a sense of pride and
glory – but also shame. The conflict here is
between what people want and the reality of it
all. These poets are often sending a message
out about the price of vanity or corruption.
Pride or Glory
My Last Duchess
The speaker is proud and arrogant – displays his
power but also displays his own insecurities and
we wonder if he really is in control?
How is it shown? The use of ambiguity to show
his power which ironically says more to the
audience than he realises

5. Pride or glory
• These poems capture a sense of pride and
glory – but also shame. The conflict here is
between what people want and the reality of it
all. These poets are often sending a message
out about the price of vanity or corruption.
Pride or Glory
Charge of the Light Brigade
The poet repeats ideas of glory and honour to show the
‘power’ of the Light Brigade, however the poem shows the
conflict with these hellish images of darkness and war
which decimate them. Both a celebration and warning of
blind glory, regret for the lives lost needlessly.
How is it shown?
Use of repetitive elements which give pace. The religious
imagery of “valley of death” that contrasts with the
soldiers and builds conflict.

6. Pride or glory
• These poems capture a sense of pride and
glory – but also shame. The conflict here is
between what people want and the reality of it
all. These poets are often sending a message
out about the price of vanity or corruption.
Pride or Glory
London
London is the supposed capital of the world and the poem
is shown as a dark twisted place of misery, brought on by
the abuse of power by those in the ‘palaces’ or ‘churches’.
How is it shown?
Use of symbolic language to suggest the corruption of the
city. The juxtaposition and conflict between the powerful
and the poor which the poet is ashamed of.

7. Nature
• Some poems explore the power of nature – Man vs Nature.
Sometimes nature is more powerful, others it is mankind.
Lots of personification and language devices to explore.
Nature
Storm on the Island
The poem looks at a small manmade structure being battered
by a storm. Deliberately emphasises the conflict between man
and nature. The speaker adds “It is a huge nothing we fear”
suggesting that is Man who has the power.
How is it shown?
The harsh imagery used to portray the weather and its power.
The contrast with the calm tone of the speaker which
undermines this power – the weather simply doesn’t scare him
now.

8. Nature
• Some poems explore the power of nature – Man vs Nature.
Sometimes nature is more powerful, others it is mankind.
Lots of personification and language devices to explore.
Nature
The Prelude
The poem uses a journey to show the narrator’s development.
At first he is one with nature and it is peaceful, but he tries to
take control and direct his journey up the river. Nature
challenges him (The large, dark mountain) until he backs down.
This emphasises mans place in nature but nature remains all
powerful
Remember to look at: Mountain is portrayed as “huge peak,
black and huge” showing its power

9. Nature
• Some poems explore the power of nature – Man vs Nature.
Sometimes nature is more powerful, others it is mankind.
Lots of personification and language devices to explore.
Nature
Exposure
Owen describes the weather as an attacking
army with regular personification.
This shows man at war with nature and losing.
How it is shown? Sibilance and assonance used
to bring the weather to life in a harsh aggressive
form – Personification of weather and its
association with military language.

10. Inner conflict
• In some poems, the central character is often
torn between conflicting emptions.
Nature
Poppies
Conflict of her son going off to war and flying the
nest, but her sadness and anxiety when he does
not return. Sense of forlorn hope which also
contrasts with the hopelessness of poems like
London or the idealism of Tissue.
How is it shown? The homely images contrast
with the military images