'Song of the Old Mother' - Youth vs Age!

(FOUNDATION POEM)
Have you ever heard an old person say that youth is wasted on the young? Well, here it is again! Make sure that you notice the contrasts in this poem between youth/age, heat/old, hardship/laziness, start/finish. A very simple poem about the passing of time. It makes a good contrast with 'November' and 'On My First Sonne'.

'Heroes' Chapter 14 - A Discussion

In Chapter 14 Francis finally meets his nemesis. To find out what that means you need to listen to this podcast. Because chapter 15 is so simple (Francis meets up with Sister Mathilde and gets Nicole's address), I have not made a podcast on it. SO the podcasts will skip straight to chapter 16. Okay?

'My Last Duchess' - Deadly Jealousy

Be afraid! Be very afraid! This Duke is a sinister and controlling man. A wife-killer and proud of it, he's only intested in power, status and money. Women are possessions to him. Be very afraid...

'Anne Hathaway' - The Power of Love!

What a poem! Elsewhere in the collection we've had psychotic killers, lady killers, man killers, jealousy and hatred. Here we have a beautiful poem about the power of love. Ahhhhh...

Heroes Chapter 13 - A Discussion

Chapter 13 is not hugely significant; however, it is useful to compare Larry's return in this chapter, to his triumphant return in chapter 11. In chapter 13 he has sneaked back to his hometown. Robert Cormier uses this ANTICLIMAX deliberately.

Heroes Chapter 12 - A Discussion

In Chapter 12 Francis realises he has lost the girl he loves. His act of cowardice in not coming to her aid in her moment of need has dire consequences for him, and Nicole. This chapter is all about sin, forgiveness and despair (which is the opposite of religios faith).

Heroes Chapter 11 - A Discussion

Chapter 11 contains the dramatic events that change two young lives forever. This is a chapter that takes Larry LaSalle from hero to villain - whilst taking Nicole and Francis from elation (joy) to despair.

'Homecoming' - Conflict and Trust

'Homecoming' is as hazy as your childhood memories. That's because it's about a childhood memory of a family disagreement. It's also about trust and the comfort and protection that friendship and love bring. It's quite complex - so listen on!

Heroes Chapter 10 - A Discussion

This is a chapter full of unhappiness and sorrow. Francis seems to give up his hopes for the future in this chapter.

Heroes Chapter 9 - A Discussion

Chapter 9 is a flashback to happier times for Francis. This happy chapter is supposed to contrast with the unhappy ones either side of it.

'Heroes' Chapter 8 - A Discussion

Chapter 8 is very short, but that doesn't mean that there isn't a nugget of gold there! The character Arthur Rivier says some very important things about heroes - and about the war. Listen on...

'Half Caste' - Making Racism Ridiculous!

'Half Caste' is an anti-racist poem. A fun poem. A carnival poem. A poem of contradictions. It is, above all, a positive poem. A poem that tells us how good things are if we mix it up - if we take things and make them interesting by mixing things together. John Agard is trying to show us that the word 'Half Caste' is silly and meaningless, by using humour.

'This Room' - Change is Confusing!

You may find 'This Room' very confusing at first - but it's a poem about change. It's a poem about how change can be challenging and confusing, but ultimately it can bring freedom and incredible things.

'Love After Love' - liking yourself and moving on!

'Love After Love' is a poem about liking yourself, knowing yourself and recovering after a separation. Find out about the religious imagery, a possible reason for the reducing stanza length and the use of imperative verbs (commands) here.

Heroes Chapter 7 - A Discussion

Why is Chapter 7 of Heroes so important? Find out here. Iy really is the crux of the whole book. In it the rivalry between Larry and Francis is set up by the author, Robert Cormier. Rivals for glory, Nicole and table tennis champion.

'Unrelated Incidents' - A Radge and a Shan!

Language is power. To be more specific: accent is power. Can you imagine someone on the news saying that Gordan Brown was radgeful? No? Thought not. The question is, why? We expect certain people in power to have a certain accent. That accent is Received Pronounciation - the artificial accent of power. Listen on.

Heroes Chapter 6 - A Discussion

This is a revision podcast for GCSE English Literature. Chapter 6 of Heroes is short, but it does contain some important moments: Francis' guilt, details about Larry and about the general mood of the fighting men that have returned home to Frenchtown.

'Not My Business' - Rights and Responsibilities

In the poem 'Not My Business' Niyi Osundare shows us a nightmarish world of brutality and violence. However, is he showing us what happens when we don't look after each other? This is a revision podcast for GCSE English Language.

'Search for my Tongue' - How your language makes you who you are!

Revision podcast on 'Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan'.

'Presents from my Aunts in Pakistan' - do your clothes define who you are?

This is a revision for the GCSE English Language exam. It's time to start NOW! This podcast covers themes, form and structure. It's a good place to start revising for 'Poems from Different Cultures'.