Poems

 2024

Poem: Kamikaze

Question focus: Compare how poets present the effects of conflict on people2023

Poem: My Last Duchess

Question focus: Compare how poets present the effects of power2022

Poem: Bayonet Charge

Question focus: Compare how poets present ideas about conflict2021 (Autumn

/ COVID-adjusted series)

Poem: London

Question focus: Compare how poets present power and control2020 (Autumn

series due to COVID disruption)

Poem: Remains

Question focus: Compare how poets present how people are affected by difficult

experiences2019

Poem: War Photographer

Question focus:

Compare how poets present the ways people are affected by war2018

Poem: Ozymandias

Question focus:

Compare how poets present ideas about power

Patterns AQA clearly likes

They cycle between:

● Power / abuse of power

● Control / authority

● Effects of war

● Psychological effects of conflict

● Human suffering

● Political/social oppression

What has not come up recently (very

worth revising)

These are the obvious “due” poems:

● Exposure

● Storm on the Island

● The Prelude

● Poppies

● Checking Out Me History

● The Emigree

● Tissue (AQA’s wildcard everyone panics about)

If I were revising strategically

Know these inside out, because they compare with almost everything:

● Exposure → conflict / suffering / power of nature

● Ozymandias → transient power / arrogance

● London → oppression / control

● Kamikaze → identity / conflict / consequences

● Checking Out Me History → power / identity / resistance

That gives you comparison coverage for almost any question they can throw at you.