This document provides an example of an unseen poetry analysis for a Year 11 class. It includes sample questions teachers may ask students to analyze the poem "London" by William Blake. The poem depicts the speaker's gloomy and despairing view of the city as they wander through its streets. The document also models potential responses students could give to analyze the poet's feelings toward London based on images in the poem and how individual words convey deeper meanings and implications. Finally, it highlights techniques students can employ in their analysis, such as discussing word sounds and alternative interpretations.

1. Year 11 Unseen Poetry
Masterclass

2. • Make sure you have a clear idea of how to
answer the question
• To make it less fearful for you
• To go though a couple of poems with you as
an example

3. • Thursday 22nd May
• I hour 15 minutes
• Section A: Poetry Comparison Question
45 minutes 36 Marks
• Section B: Unseen Poetry
30 Minutes 18 Marks

4. What are the
feelings of the
speaker and how
do you know?

5. What is the BVC
English teacher
thinking and how
do you know?

6. What? How?

7. What? How?

8. What? How?

9. What? How?

10. The first feeling we see from Mr Allman is one of
intense anger. As we can see from his body language,
his “clenched fist” is symbolic of a man who is in a state
of aggression and, perhaps, willing to cause damage. In
the same way, the “snarl” that we see on his face
suggests that he is becoming animalistic, feral and
savage. His mind could be in a state of uncontrollable
vexation. Alternatively, the picture could suggest that
he is feeling triumphant. The “clenched fist” could imply
that he is delighted with some result and
outcome, perhaps with his teaching or that he has
overcome a doubt. The “facial expressions” could
indicate that he is satisfied and content with what has
happened and is ensuring that he delights in the
moment.

11. London
By
William Blake

12. London
I wander through each chartered street,
Near where the chartered Thames does flow,
And mark in every face I meet
Marks of weakness, marks of woe.
In every cry of every man,
In every infant’s cry of fear,
In every voice, in every ban,
The mind-forged manacles I hear:
How the chimney-sweeper’s cry
Every black’ning church appalls,
And the hapless soldier’s sigh
Runs in blood down palace walls.
But most through midnight streets I hear
How the youthful harlot’s curse
Blasts the new-born infant’s tear,
And blights with plagues the marriage hearse.
WILLIAM BLAKE

13. What are the
speaker’s feelings
towards London and
how does he present
them?

14. “I wander…”
How?What?
Aimless
Directionless
Lost
Is he searching
for
something?
Using the verb
“wander”

15. Tip of the Day #1
Make a comment on
the implications and
effects of individual
words

16. “Marks of weakness,
marks of woe.”
How?What?

17. Tip of the Day #2
Talk about the
sounds of words and
how they have an
impact on meaning.

18. “black’ning church”
How?What?

19. Tip of the Day #3
Discuss alternative
interpretations.

20. “mind-forged manacles”
How?What?

21. Tip of the Day #4
Take a risk.

22. Tip of the Day #5
To get an A*, could
you make a
comment on
structure, rhyme or
rhythm?

23. London
I wander through each chartered street,
Near where the chartered Thames does flow,
And mark in every face I meet
Marks of weakness, marks of woe.
In every cry of every man,
In every infant’s cry of fear,
In every voice, in every ban,
The mind-forged manacles I hear:
How the chimney-sweeper’s cry
Every black’ning church appalls,
And the hapless soldier’s sigh
Runs in blood down palace walls.
But most through midnight streets I hear
How the youthful harlot’s curse
Blasts the new-born infant’s tear,
And blights with plagues the marriage hearse.
WILLIAM BLAKE

24. The first feeling we see from Mr Allman is one of
intense anger. As we can see from his body language,
his “clenched fist” is symbolic of a man who is in a state
of aggression and, perhaps, willing to cause damage. In
the same way, the “snarl” that we see on his face
suggests that he is becoming animalistic, feral and
savage. His mind could be in a state of uncontrollable
vexation. Alternatively, the picture could suggest that
he is feeling triumphant. The “clenched fist” could imply
that he is delighted with some result and outcome,
perhaps with his teaching or that he has overcome a
doubt. The “facial expressions” could indicate that he is
satisfied and content with what has happened and is
ensuring that he delights in the moment.

25. One of the main feelings we see from Blake about
London is that he thinks it is disgusting. He tells us
about “Every Black’ning church”, providing us with a
grotesque image of churches. The fact that he uses the
word “black’ning” suggests that the church is
continuing to become black from pollution, indicating
that it will get worse. The word “every” is vital, as it
tells us that he thinks that this happens to all of the
churches: none can escape. Alternatively, we could
interpret his feelings of anger if we see the word
“black’ning” as a metaphor for corruption. The image
would then tell us that the church is becoming more
evil. In this way, Blake conveys a feeling of distrust at
the church and all it should stand for.