Slideshare address for ‘Elvis’s Twin Sister’

http://www.slideshare.net/lizaollett/elviss-twin-sister

Tuesday 26th January 2010

Learning Objective:To understand the techniques used by writers in ‘Kid’ and ‘Homecoming’ by Simon Armitage

‘Homecoming’ by Simon Armitage

Listen and note down any striking words/phrases.What do you think this poem is about?

Think, two things on their own and both at once.

The first, that exercise in trust, where those in front

stand with their arms spread wide and free-fall

backwards, blind, and those behind take all the weight.

What type of verb is this?

Imperative

What is the effect of this on the reader?

Is this possible?

What is thisexercise’?

Who would you trust to do this?

How does this relate to thetitle ‘Homecoming’?

The second, one canary-yellow cotton jacket on a cloakroom floor, uncoupled from its hook, becoming scuffed and blackened underfoot. Back home the very model of a model of a mother, yours, puts two and two together, makes a proper fist of it and points the finger. Temper, temper. Questions in the house. You seeing red. Blue murder. Bed.

Where do you think this happened?How does this relateto the previous point?

Consider in relation to 1st line

what is implied about themother?

What does the motherthink has happened?

How would itmake the childfeel?

intertextual reference

Who says this?

Whose house?

reference tohouses ofparliament

what are the connotations of red?

What is implied about the ‘your’ emotions?

What are the connotations of this?

How does the sentence structure reflect the content at this point?

What colours are mentioned in stanza 2?Yellow, red and blue are the primary colours.Why?Perhaps Armitage used these to show how vivid and 'colourful' the child's memories of the row are - it is obviously still important to him many years later.

Then midnight when you slip the latch and sneak no further than the call-box at the corner of the street; I'm waiting by the phone, although it doesn't ring because it's sixteen years or so before we'll meet. Retrace that walk towards the garden gate; in silhouette a father figure waits there, wants to set things straight.

What happens after ‘bed’?

introductionof 1st person

Who is it?

The child can see his shape, but not his wholebody.

Does this suggest that their relationship with him is not now as 'rounded' as a result of the row?

It is not definite that he is the child's actual father - only a father figure.

The fact that he is waiting outside shows that he is concerned for the welfare of the child, but also that he wants to set things straight (line 17) – perhaps implying that the argument is not over yet!

These ribs are pleats or seams. These arms are sleeves. These fingertips are buttons, or these hands can fold into a clasp, or else these fingers make a zip or buckle, you say which. Step backwards into it and try the same canary-yellow cotton jacket, there, like this, for size again. It still fits.

Extended metaphor: The embrace between the child and the family is likened to putting on the yellow jacket that caused the row in the first place.

A clasp can be a fastening on a jacket, but also means a tight hold on something or someone. The child and their parents are 'clasping' each across the generations other now that they have made up.

pun on clasp

emphasise closeness of family

reconciliation

Structure

The poem consists of 4 stanzas of varying lengths (4 lines, 7 lines, 6 lines, 6 lines). The lines are roughly equal in length, ranging from 9 to 13 syllables.The verse is therefore quite IRREGULAR (it doesn't fit a strict pattern).Why?Perhaps reflecting the idea in the poem that relationships can be awkward and don't follow a set pattern.

What poems might we compare with ‘Homecoming’?

Comparisons

Yeats: Song of the Old Mother Both poems deal with the tensions between

different generations. Yeats writes from the point of view of the older generation, Armitage of the younger.Duffy: We Remember Your Childhood Well

Both poems deal with a rift between the generations. The rift is never healed in Duffy's poem.

‘Kid’ by Simon Armitage

Watch the clip and brainstorm for both characters

What do you think the relationship between Batman and Robin is like?

In pairs

Label yourselves 1 and 2.Student 1 reads ‘Kid’ (p. 43) aloud.Students 2 re-reads the poem, emphasising the –er rhyme that mimics the Batman theme tune.Make a note in your Anthology about how the rhyme relates to the theme tune.

In groups of 4

Label yourselves A, B, C and D.Make notes on the following:

A – how Batman used to be B – how Robin used to be C – how Batman is now D – how Robin is now

Feedback to group

Slang

Underline all slang used in the poem.What does the slang tell us about:

- the setting of the poem? - Robin? - Robin’s opinion of Batman?

Make a note of these observations in your Anthology.

Alliteration

Find the phrase that contains alliteration of the labial plosive ‘b’.What does it show the reader about Robin’s opinion of Batman? Consider the tone.How does the alliteration emphasise this?What is the significance of it’s position within the poem?

Mocking

How does Robin mock Batman in:Lines 9-10Lines 15-16Lines 20-21

How does this poem relate to the theme of

parent/child?

Plenary

Write a paragraph on your opinion of the poem. It must contain:Comments on at least 3 aspects of the poem, including at least 1 focused on language.Clear explanations of your reasons for your views.