| Days Philip Larkin Activities before reading the poem TANGLES OR JUMBLED WORDS AIM: Thinking about what we read. Getting into the mind of the poet ! LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING WORDS: Solving priest days but happy they over doctor live we their for the question are fields can wake where bring in coats what time and that be to long running ah us 1 In pairs, write as many meaningful sentences as you can by using words from the above list. It is possible to repeat the words. You have ten minutes to complete the task. 2 Now compare your sentences with two or three other pairs and see if you have any which are exactly the same. Choose a spokesperson from the group to note down sentences which are not in common with the others. 3 ROUND UP SESSION: The spokesperson from each group writes the odd sentences on the board. Any sentences which now coincide with those of other groups, can be discarded. 4 Now, read the poem and see how many of the sentences which have been discussed are in the original poem. DAYS What are days for? Days are where we live. They come, they wake us Time and time over. They are to be happy in: Where can we live but days ? Ah, solving that question Brings the priest and doctor In their long coats Running over the fields. Philip Larkin Further group discussion work What is the significance of “priest” and “doctor” in this poem? Would you have used other professions? Why ? why not ? What effect does “ Running over the fields” have? Change the words “running” and “fields”. Writing / Homework activity Write a short poem entitled: NIGHTS |
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