English Language ArtsLevel 7 #26Ms. Walker

Discussion and reading of the Highwayman, by Alfred Noyes

Part 1 - The Highwayman

“The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes is another ballad like “Casey at the Bat,” but the circumstances are quite different.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99UH0JB7m5A&feature=share&list=PLBD7487366A1699C3

The Highwayman

Part 2 - Literary Devices

What are the literary devices used to convey the mood, action and theme of the poem? Simile, Metaphor, Onomatopoeia, Allusion and Symbolism

Simile

Study the poem again. Do you see any examples of simile where the author uses “like” or “as” to make a comparison? Write down all the similes you can find in the poem.

Examples of Simile

His face burned like a brand.

Her face was like a light. They shot him down like a

dog.

What metaphors are used about the setting that sets the mood of the ballad?

The moon is a ghostly galleon.

The road was a ribbon of moonlight.The wind was a torrent of darkness.

What sounds does the author imitate to mimic actual noises? Tlot Tlot,Tlot Tlot, to minic the sound of the horse’s hooves

Clattered, clangs and clashed

ALLUSIONALLUSION

What time period is referred to in the ballad? How do we know the action took place long ago?

An allusion is made to King George III’s soldiers. The narrative is set in mid-1700s which is the time that King George reigned.

How is the color red used as a symbol? Do you see a foreshadowing in the story?

The Landlords daughter plaited a dark red love-knot into her hair and the Highwayman wore a red velvet coat. This ties in with the red blood at the end.

Elements of Poetry

Determine the setting, characterization, point of view, conflict, plot and climax of the poem.

What is the setting of the story?What symbols are used to help us determine the setting and mood?

The setting takes place at an “olde Inn” and along a dirt highway in the 1700s. References to night, darkness, and moon helps us anticipate the setting.

Who was the main character? Can you name other characters?

The Highwayman and Bess were the main characters. Other characters were Tim the “ostler” and the soldiers.

Who is telling the story? Is it told from the first or third person point of view? (Does the author use “I” or “he?”

The story is told from the third person point of view.

Is there a problem or conflict in the ballad? What is the main problem in the story?The conflict begins when Tim, the “ostler,” overhears The Highwayman promising Bess he would return to her the next day.

Tim the “ostler ,“ who also loved Bess, was jealous of the Highwayman. This is what caused the conflict. Tim told the soldiers when the Highwayman would return . The soldiers went to the inn to wait for him.

Describe the sequence of events. The story begins when the Highwayman visits Bess, the Landlord’s daughter. He stays for a short while but promises to return by midnight the next day.

Describe the sequence of events.

Tim, the ostler, who loves Bess too, overhears the conversation and tells the soldiers of the Highwayman’s promise to return.

The soldiers come to the inn to wait for the Highwayman. They tie up Bess so she can’t warn him. Bess warns him anyway by shooting herself.

The Highwayman gets away. But when he hears of Bess’ death, he returns to the inn. The soldiers shoot him “down like a dog.”

What was the high point of the story?

The high point of the story is when Bess shoots herself as a warning to the Highwayman.

How does the story end. What is the outcome?

Although the lovers are dead, the villagers say that their ghosts meet at the inn for eternity.

Look at your copy of “The Highwayman” and determine the rhyme scheme for the first stanza.

AABCCB

There is a definite rhythmic

pattern in the poem. Can you determine the meter and foot of the first stanza?

The meter is a combination of iambic (unstressed/stressed) followed by anapest (unstressed unstressed stressed). The feet are hexameter (six feet) and monometer (one foot).

Poetry Assessment

Take the poetry test that accompanies this lesson. You must have at least 70% correct to show proficiency in this topic.

Break

Part 3 - The Idiom

Idioms are spoken phrases that cannot be found in the dictionary. An idiom is an expression that means something other than the literal meanings of its individual words.

A Blind Spot

A blind spot refers to a matter or topic a person refuses -- or is unwilling -- to accept, discuss or understand.

Lesson Review

Today we discussed how various literary devices are used to set the mood and tone of “The Highwayman.”

Next Lesson

Our next Lesson will introduce us to drama or the play. Dramas are usually acted out on a stage and are focused mostly on dialogue, rather than setting.