Blackberry picking

​Blackberry-picking

By Fiorenza Kirkwood

Big Picture

Learning Intentions

We are learning to:

•Analyse how Heaney uses imagery and symbolism to explore loss of innocence.

•Write a successfully structured analytical paragraph that links quotation, analysis, and theme.

•Use Higher-level critical vocabulary to convey insight and evaluation.

Big Picture

✅ Success Criteria

•I can use a clear topic sentence that links to the essay question.

•I can integrate quotations effectively.

•I can analyse language, structure and/or imagery in depth.

•I can link my analysis to the poem’s overall theme or message.

Open Ended

What do the blackberries symbolise in Blackberry-picking?

Open Ended

Challenge: find two quotations from the first stanza that show temptation or desire, and two that show decay or disappointment.

Open Ended

Link to question: "Choose a poem in which the theme of loss of innocence is explored..." Summarise: how does Heaney use the blackberries as a metaphor for this theme?

Open Ended

“Each year I hoped they’d keep, knew they would not.”
→ How does this line sum up Heaney’s message about human experience?