A Photograph

• New lesson editor
• English
• Secondary Education

A Photograph

Shirley Toulson

Starter

• “A photograph I will never forget is one that shows…” (Write 2–3 sentences)

Enter your question here

Structure and Form

Think Pair Share

• How can memories be both comforting and painful? How has the poet used symbolism to depict the dual nature of remembering loved ones?

• The contrast between the static nature of photographs and the dynamic flow of life.

• Thematic relationship between ‘The Portrait of a Lady’ and ‘A Photograph’

• Consider the structure of the poem, including its irregular stanzas and varying line lengths. How does the structure reflect the fragmented nature of memory and the speaker's emotions?

Analysing the poem- Paired Task

• Using the poetry analysis sheet, discuss the different aspects and elements of the poem 'A Photograph'.

Stanza 1

🔍 Devices Used:

• Alliteration:

  • “stood still to smile” – repetition of ‘s’ sound.

  • “terribly transient” – repetition of ‘t’ sound enhances fragility of time.

• Imagery:

  • Visual images of the girls paddling, smiling through their hair.

• Transferred Epithet:

  • “transient feet” – it’s the human life that is transient, not feet.

• Contrast:

  • The permanence of the sea vs. the fleeting nature of human life.

• Metaphor:

  • “The cardboard” = photograph

Stanza 2

• 🔍 Devices Used:

• Enjambment:

  • Lines flow into the next without punctuation, mirroring flowing memories.

• Juxtaposition:

  • Her mother’s memory vs the poet’s loss.

• Oxymoron:

  • “laboured ease” – contradictory phrase suggesting effort to accept grief.

• Irony:

  • The laughter is bittersweet — remembering joy in the face of inevitable loss.

Stanza 3

• 🔍 Devices Used:

• Paradox:

  • “Its silence silences.” – silence as a powerful presence.

• Repetition:

  • “silence” is repeated for effect.

• Irony:

  • Despite the deep loss, there’s nothing left to say.

• Tone:

  • Deeply melancholic, reflective.

Language and Imagery

Tone and Mood

The Title

The title "A Photograph" sets the tone for the poem, suggesting that a single image captured in time will serve as a focal point for deeper reflections and emotions.

The poem uses the metaphor of a photograph to explore the concept of memory.

Answer in brief. (Any FOUR…40-50 words)

1) What does the word 'cardboard ' denote in the poem? Why has this word been used?

2) What has the camera captured?

3) What has not changed over the years? Does this suggest something to you?

4) The poetess’ mother laughed at the snapshot. What did this laugh indicate?

5) What is the meaning of the line "Both wry with the laboured ease of the loss"?

6) What does "the circumstance" refer to?

Choose any ONE (120-150 words)

Task 1: Analyze the use of language and poetic devices in the poem. How do these literary devices contribute to the poem's themes and mood?

Task 2: Assess the effectiveness of the poem's tone and mood in conveying the speaker's emotions. How does the tone shift throughout the poem, and what effect does this have on the reader?

Task 3: Connect the themes of "A Photograph" to broader human experiences. How does the poem resonate with universal aspects of memory, loss, and the passage of time in people's lives?

EXIT TICKET

1. What central theme is explored in Shirley Toulson's poem 'A Photograph'?

1. The impermanence ocf life and the enduring nature of photographs

2. The beauty of nature and its healing power

3. The adventures of childhood and innocence

4. The dynamics of modern technology and society

2. What tone and mood does Shirley Toulson's 'A Photograph' convey?

1. Contemplative and nostalgic tone, somber and melancholic mood

2. Angry and resentful tone, suspenseful mood

3. Cheerful and optimistic tone, joyful mood

4. Excited and enthusiastic tone, hopeful mood