Head of English

Starter:
Define these terms:
• Old fashioned
• Mockery
• Overbearing
• Satire
• Irony
• Cliché
 Let’s Read the Poem
The Basic Facts:
How does Duffy use Humor In ‘Head of English’?

- Who is the poem about?

- What happens in the poem?
- Where is it set?
- When is it set?
- Why do you think Carol Ann Duffy wrote the
poem?

Context:
‘Season of mists’ – quote from a Keats poem that
the narrator can’t remember the words to.
‘Winds of change’ – a reference to Harold
MacMillan’s (Prime Minister of UK) speech regarding
the changes happening in the British Empire (loss of
power), ironic as the Head doesn’t want change.
 What is the Poem About?
How does Duffy use Humor In ‘Head of English’?

The poem is about how an old fashioned

and perhaps bigoted (believes their own
opinions are facts) Head of English tries
to teach his subject by getting a poet in
for the day. Things do not go according to
plan

The poem does not use a great deal of

linguistic features, but instead tells a
story about the teacher.

We are invited to laugh at how ridiculous

and self centred the Head of English is.
 What is the Structure of the Poem?
How does Duffy use Humor In ‘Head of English’?

The poem is a dramatic monologue

The poem is very regular poem: six lines per stanza and regular line
length

The poem is about order, just like the order the Head imposes in
his classroom
 The Presentation of the Head of English
How does Duffy use Humor In ‘Head of English’?

The head of English is presented:

• As old-fashioned
• A mockery
• He is satirised (ridiculed, highlighting his cliched / stereotypical
features)
• Using irony (saying one thing; but meaning another.)
• Overbearing / authoritarian

Find examples of this, explain how he is presented in this way e.g.

utilising short sentences.
Today we have a poet in the class.
A real live poet with a published book.
Notice the inkstained fingers, girls. Perhaps
we're going to witness verse hot from the press.
Who knows. Please show your appreciation
by clapping. Not too loud. Now
sit up straight and listen. Remember
the lesson on assonance, for not all poems,
sadly, rhyme these days. Still. Never mind.
Whispering's, as always, out of bounds -
but do feel free to raise some questions.
After all, we're paying forty pounds.
Those of you with English Second Language,
see me after break. We're fortunate
to have this person in our midst.
Season of mists and so on and so forth
I've written quite a bit of poetry myself
and doing Kipling with the Lower Fourth.
Right. That's enough from me. On with the Muse.
Open a window at the back. We don't
want winds of change about the place.
Take notes, but don't write reams. Just an essay
on the poet's themes. Fine. Off we go.
Convince us that there's something we don't know.
Well. Really. Run along now, girls. I'm sure
that gave an insight to an outside view.
Applause will do. Thank you
very much for coming here today. Lunch
in the hall? Do hang about. Unfortunately
I have to dash. Tracey will show you out.

 
 Analysis
How does Duffy use Humor In ‘Head of English’?

• Imperative verbs
• Adjectives
• Holophrastic sentence (single word sentence)
• Staccato rhythm
• Enjambment
• Irregular rhyme
• Irony

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zL6SAbeaHZ8
 Develop your Analysis
How does Duffy use Humor In ‘Head of English’?

Complete the questions about each

stanza. Make sure your answers
are detailed!
 What is the Message of the Poem?
How does Duffy use Humor In ‘Head of English’?

Poetry should be enjoyed,

explored and discussed

It should not be just a

teaching tool for essay
writing

Poetry should also be

challenging, difficult and
always evolving