Core Skills Analysis
English Literature
- Ebony learned to analyze the themes and tone of Robert Browning's poem 'My Last Duchess', developing an understanding of dramatic monologue as a literary form.
- She practiced critical thinking by interpreting the Duke's character through his speech, which helps refine inference and comprehension skills.
- By completing online questions and worksheets, Ebony enhanced her ability to engage with textual evidence to support her ideas.
- Exposure to this poem likely improved her vocabulary and familiarity with 19th-century English language and societal context.
Tips
To deepen Ebony's appreciation and critical understanding of 'My Last Duchess,' consider encouraging her to explore the historical context of Victorian England and its social hierarchies, which influence the poem's themes. She could write a diary entry from the perspective of the Duchess to develop empathy and creative writing skills. Additionally, analyzing other dramatic monologues in literature can broaden her understanding of the genre. Discussing modern parallels about power and control in relationships may also connect the classic text to contemporary issues, enhancing relevance and engagement.
Book Recommendations
Learning Standards
- English Literature KS3: Understand and explore themes, characters and language (National Curriculum English, Year 8, 3Bs).
- Reading comprehension: Make critical responses to texts, inferring and deducing meaning (English Language KS3, Year 8, 2Bi).
- Writing: Develop creative writing skills through adopting different perspectives and voice (English Writing KS3, Year 8, 4Di).
Try This Next
- Create a compare-and-contrast worksheet analyzing the Duke’s perspective versus a hypothetical Duchess’s viewpoint.
- Write a first-person monologue or diary entry from the Duchess’s point of view to explore untold narratives.