1. Tennyson
Look over the notes you were completing
where you were applying a theoretical lens
to two of the poems.
You are going to share 5 of your points with
the class.
You have 10 minutes to check over, add to
your notes and prepare your 5 points.

2. Tennyson
What I have to
say is
Section A, the second question. interesting and
shows that I
know my
subject
material as I
have read well.
AO1: Articulate creative, informed
and relevant responses to literary
texts, using appropriate terminology technical I use
terminology
and concepts, and coherent, accurateit is when
needed and
written expression relevant.
I debate the question in a
10% way that is clear to follow
and is well expressed,
using punctuation and
paragraphing.

3. Tennyson
Section A, the second question.
I show that I am aware that texts can
be interpreted in many different
ways, by different readers.
AO3: clear consideration of some
different interpretations of texts with
some evaluation of their strengths and
weaknesses
I show that some interpretations are more
appropriate or relevant for some themes – I
20% can debate and argue that some
interpretations are more valid than others.

4. Tennyson
Section A, the second question.
AO4: Demonstrate understanding of
the significance and influence of the
contexts in which literary texts are written
and received.
I can argue why a text is important. I
can explain how a text is influenced
by and reflects its contemporary
I can also suggest how a text is important time.
today and interpret how it might be
received.

5. Poem lucky dip.
Women
Godiva
Death
The Lady of Shalott Loss and bereavement
The past – classical and
Mariana medieval settings
Men
Ulysses Progress and the future
Tithonus Beauty and art

6. Tennyson
Tennyson is ‘the poet of
melancholia, passion
and despair’.
T. S. Eliot

7. Tennyson
Have a read of the quotations. Do any of
them obviously link to any of the poems?
Label them.
Which do you feel is the strongest/most
interesting comment and why?
Which poem/s does it apply to?

8. Tennyson
‘The women in Tennyson’s poems are presented as victims
of a male world.’
AO1: Articulate
How far do you agree? creative, informed and relevant
responses to literary
Some will agree and focus on texts, using appropriate
• the wife of Ulysses terminology and concepts, and
• the Lady of Shallot
coherent, accurate written
• Godiva to a point
• Aurora - victim of the male gods perhaps
expression
• Mariana AO3: clear consideration
Some will disagree and focus on of some different
• Godiva’s triumph over her husband and interpretations of texts
her gaining immortality in legend
• Mariana might be discussed as a victim of
with some evaluation of
herself or of clinical depression their strengths and
• Tithonus – more a victim than Aurora weaknesses
• Lady of Shallot – victim perhaps of AO4: detailed exploration of some
supernatural forces, etc. contextual factors with specific, detailed
links between context/texts/task

9. ‘The women in Tennyson’s poems
are presented as victims of a male Tennyson
world.’ AO1: Articulate creative, informed and relevant responses to
How far do you agree? literary texts, using appropriate terminology and concepts,
and coherent, accurate written expression
AO3: clear consideration of some different
interpretations of texts with some evaluation of
their strengths and weaknesses
AO4: detailed exploration of some contextual factors with specific, detailed
links between context/texts/task
Plan:
Set up the debate in the first paragraph – are they only presented as victims? What does it
mean to be a victim? What does the term suggest? Could they be viewed differently?
Choose one of the poems and explore how the female character and her story are
presented. What images do we get of her? How could she be interpreted by different
readers? How might we respond to her character? Why is Tennyson presenting her
character like this – consider the ways that women were treated and how they were viewed
both at the time (contemporary) and now (modern context).
Consider a second character.
Consider a third character – maybe one who is completely different.

10. Yes: No:
… …
… …
… …
‘The women in Tennyson’s poems are presented as victims
of a male world.’
How far do you agree?
Some readers and critics may argue that… Don’t forget to
The counter argument would be that… connect to the
Alternatively… STORY/NARRAT
It is debatable that… IVE. Consider
There is ambiguity regarding… voices, descriptio
It can be argued that… n, events, sequen
ce.
However…
It could be interpreted that…
A contemporary reader may… whereas a modern reader might…