Ode to the West Wind

By

Percy Bysshe Shelley

Literary Selection
Literature Reader Class X – Poem 2- Ode to the West Wind

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Objectives
To inspire students with a love of learning. Use Word Origins and
Derivations-Students will read and analyze the 1819 Percy
Bysshe Shelley poem, Ode to the West Wind. They will then
study the literary devices: simile, metaphor, and personification.
Finally, students will study colorful color words.
To awaken and enlarge the mind by rendering it the receptable
of a thousand unapprehended combinations of thought.
To inspire the students to understand that poetry lifts its veil from
the hidden beauty of the world and develop an inclination to read
poetry.
To help students develop the critical reading skills necessary to
understand complex texts generated in a culture not their own.
By the end of the class, students will have learned the key terms
within the poetic tradition and the key concerns of Romanticism.

Overview
A literary classic is a work of the highest excellence that has
something important to say about life and/or about human
condition and says it with great artistry.
Acquainting students with the images of nature, which is viewed
as a force that expresses sympathy with human beings.
Acquainting students with the idea of ‘spirit forms”.
Students will graphically transcribe the transformation of Land, Air
and Sea as a result of the coming of West wind.
Introducing students to the brilliant work of P B Shelley.
Endorse the poem in students’ minds by screening an animation
movie titled “Ode to the West Wind.”
The poem will be covered in four parts viz. introduction, reading,
explanation and understanding the period when the poem was
written.

Before Reading Activities

Teacher will link todays study of the poem with earlier portion of
the poem by reviewing what has been taught earlier .
Teacher will ask confirmatory questions from the previously
taught portion of the poem.

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 Teacher will replay the multimedia presentation which has been
covered so far.
Teacher will explain the poetic terms to be covered in todays
teaching and link them with those taught earlier..

During Reading Activities

Students will be asked to open their books to the poem ‘Ode to
the West Wind” by P B Shelley.
Model reading by the teacher of Part IV & V.
The students will note all that is covered in their note books.
Multimedia animation film in four parts corresponding to the poem
part being covered.
Silent reading by the students.

After Learning Activities

Activity One
Issue multiple choice quiz to students to attempt in class.
Teacher will give out correct answers and students will self
evaluate their answers.
Activity Two
Students must be able to understand and identify poetic terms. It
is important to review the terms and ensure that students can
apply their knowledge.
To begin, give between two students a reference sheet of poetic
terms. After the students have had a chance to review the poetic
terms, have them get into partners and ask them to review the
poem Ode to the West Wind by Percy Bysshe Shelley for some
time.
As partners, students must read through the poem. Using their
reference sheet, they must identify and label as many poetic
devices as they can.
The group that correctly labels the most poetic devices could win
a prize.
Activity Three
Distribute to the students Trivia about Percy Shelley Handout.

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Assignment
Students will be asked to attempt question given below as home
assignment.
Explain the expression, “Like ghosts from an enchanter fleeing".
Why is the West Wind called “destroyer and preserver”?
How does Shelley personify “the Mediterranean”?
Why does the poet wish to be “a dead leaf”, “a swift cloud” and “a
wave”?

Resources Used
Multimedia Animation Movie
Internet
Poem plan
Computer and Printer
Hand outs

Method Used
Hand outs
Question –answer technique
Self checking by students

Teacher:
Class X B Period VIII

Date 14th July 2009 -Principal

Glossary:
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