Literature Lesson Plans - Sykalo Eugen 2024
A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning by John Donne
Grade Level: This lesson plan is intended for High School English, ideally 11th or 12th grade.
Subject: Literature
Time Allotment: One class period (approximately 50 minutes)
Learning Objectives:
- Students will be able to analyze the poem's structure, rhyme scheme, and use of language.
- Students will be able to identify the central metaphor and its role in conveying the speaker's emotions.
- Students will be able to discuss the poem's themes of love, separation, and the power of connection.
- Students will be able to consider the poem's historical context and Donne's style of Metaphysical poetry.
Materials:
- Copies of "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" by John Donne
- Whiteboard or projector
- Markers or pens
- Literary analysis worksheet focusing on metaphor and symbolism (optional)
Lesson Procedure:
- Introduction (10 minutes):
- Briefly introduce John Donne and his place in literary history.
- Mention his association with Metaphysical poetry, known for its intellectual wit and use of complex metaphors.
- Briefly discuss the concept of a "valediction," a farewell speech.
- Close Reading Activity (20 minutes):
- Distribute copies of "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning."
- Guide students through a close reading activity, focusing on:
✵ Structure and form: Identify the number of stanzas and lines. What is the rhyme scheme?
✵ Use of language: What kind of vocabulary does Donne use? Are there any figures of speech, particularly metaphors?
✵ Imagery: How does Donne use sensory details to create a sense of connection?
- Metaphor Analysis (20 minutes):
- Distribute a literary analysis worksheet focusing on metaphor and symbolism (optional).
- Individually or in small groups, students analyze the central metaphor of the compass:
✵ How does the speaker compare their love to a compass?
✵ What specific details about compasses reinforce the message about connection?
✵ How does this metaphor convey the speaker's emotions about the temporary separation?
- Theme Discussion (10 minutes):
- Lead a class discussion based on the metaphor analysis:
✵ What are the central themes of the poem? Consider love, separation, and the importance of emotional connection.
✵ How does the poem challenge traditional ideas of mourning during a farewell?
✵ How does the use of Metaphysical wit contribute to the poem's meaning?
Differentiation:
- Provide scaffolding for close reading by offering a vocabulary list of unfamiliar words or explaining the concept of Metaphysical poetry.
- Offer different options for the analysis worksheet (e.g., drawing a visual representation of the compass metaphor, creating a table comparing different aspects of the lovers to parts of the compass).
- Allow students to choose another poem by John Donne or a different Metaphysical poet to compare and contrast the use of language and imagery.
Extension Activities:
- Students can research the historical context of love and marriage during Donne's time.
- Have students write their own poem using a metaphor to express a feeling of love, friendship, or connection.
- Explore other examples of Metaphysical poetry and compare their style to "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning."
Assessment:
- Participation in close reading activities and class discussions.
- Completed literary analysis worksheet focusing on metaphor and symbolism (if used).
- Short essay analyzing the central metaphor and its effectiveness in conveying the poem's themes of love, separation, and connection.