Power & Conflict: Overview (AQA GCSE English Literature)

Power and Conflict

Power & Conflict Poetry Anthology Overview

For Paper 2, Section B, you will study a cluster of 15 poems which are thematically linked. This page will provide an overview of the Power and Conflict anthology. This cluster of poems is dealt with in Question 26 of Paper 2, Section B.

This page includes:

• A complete list of the poems in the cluster

• A brief overview of what is required in the exam

• A brief explanation of key themes

• A thematic comparison table of all 15 poems

• Top tips for the highest grade

This should help you identify which poem you should compare a given poem to in your exam question, and help you create an effective thesis statement to answer the poetry question.

Power and Conflict poems

Here is a list of all the poems in the Power and Conflict cluster:

Power and Conflict overview

In Paper 2, Section B, you will be given one of the 15 poems on the exam paper itself, and be expected to compare it thematically to one other poem from the anthology. You will have to choose this second poem, and you should be prepared to write about any of the 15 poems in the exam. This means you need to have a thorough understanding of each poem.

Exam tips

To achieve high marks, you need to evidence your knowledge of the whole of the two poems in your answer, rather than just memorising and using a bank of quotations. This is because you are required to be focused on answering the question, rather than just reproducing lots of pre-learned quotes. The quality of the quotes, linked to the themes in the poems, is more important than quantity. 

It is important to note that, in this question, if you only write about the poem given on the exam paper, or you will be marked down. You must write about the given poem and link it to one other of the poems in the anthology. Think of comparison as what connects the two poems. It is therefore better to start your response with an opening statement that thematically connects the two poems you are going to use to answer the question.

This question in the exam is worth 30 marks, and you should aim to spend between 40-45 minutes on it in the exam. In order to write a top-grade response, you should aim to write an introduction, at least 2-3 comparative paragraphs and a conclusion. It is up to you whether you write about the poem given on the exam paper first, and then your second choice of poem, linking themes back to the given poem, or if you prefer a more integrated response (writing about both in each paragraph of your essay). Neither gets you more marks than the other.

For a more detailed guide on how to achieve top marks for your essay, please see our easy-to-follow How to answer the poetry anthology question pages.

Power and Conflict: Key themes

Human power and corruption

The theme of power and corruption is evident in many of the poems in the anthology, both on an individual and a state level. It can explore:

• How an individual’s power, pride and arrogance can lead someone to abuse their power or lead to their downfall

• The idea that human power does not last

• How an individual’s desire for power can lead them to control and oppress others

• How power, in the wrong hands, can be destructive

• The inheritance of status and power does not necessarily mean you are a good leader

• The failings of institutions of power, such as the monarchy, the church and the government, in doing their jobs properly and protecting the people they are meant to serve

The power of nature

The theme of the power of nature (and how human power interacts with the power of nature) is explored in some of the poems in the anthology. It can explore:

• How the power of nature ultimately always outlasts human power, whether individual or via an institution

• The idea that nature outlives all other forms of power, making them insignificant by comparison

• How humanity’s attempts to control nature are often futile and unsuccessful

• How nature itself can be powerful and destructive - especially the weather. This emphasises the conflict between man and nature

War and conflict

The theme of war and conflict is explored both directly in some of the poems, and indirectly via its effects and emotions. It can explore:

• Conflict and war in their literal sense, but also as a metaphor for the conflict between what is expected and what one desires

• The futility of war

• The effects of war on those it leaves behind, and the after-effects of conflict

• The effect of war and conflict on the individual

• The effects of nature on war, and the conflict between war and nature

• How those in power can determine the fate of those who are not

• The violence and destruction conflict can cause

• How war can also mean a battle against power or authority

Oppression and inequality

The theme of oppression is linked to the idea of control. It has strong links to the idea of inequality, because those being oppressed often belong to marginalised groups who are treated unequally. It can explore:

• How power can be used by organisations to control and oppress society, or parts of society

• How power can be used by individuals to control and oppress other individuals

• How people can be controlled and oppressed by their own thoughts and emotions

• The fact that holding on too tight to power and control can lead to undoing

• Inequality between rich and poor, and social class and status

• Inequality between men and women, and how women are treated and viewed

• Inequality between those in power and those who are not

• Inequality between what we are taught and what we are not, and the interpretation of history

Memory and loss 

The power of memory is linked to several of the other key themes, as is the related idea of loss. It can explore:

• How easily those in power can be forgotten

• The conflict between childhood memories and adult understanding

• The relationship between emotion, memory and loss

• How memories can stay with us and affect our mental health

• The loss of freedom, a home, or a homeland

• The loss of life, and, as such, the loss of possible future relationships, or relationships developing

Identity

The theme of identity can be explored via both individual and cultural identity. It can explore:

• How an individual’s identity is formed, and the conflict between personal identity and identity imposed on people

• How an individual’s and a group’s identity can be oppressed and controlled

Thematic comparison table

Use the table below to revise which poems connect to the others in the anthology, based on the themes the poets explore.

Power and Conflict: Tips for achieving the highest grade

• Referring to writer’s methods, or linguistic terminology, without linking it to a theme will not get you marks

  • Writer’s methods and the analysis of language, form and structure should always be based on the theme

• For example, writing “Browning writes the poem in the form of a dramatic monologue” will not get you a mark. However, writing “Browning uses the form of a dramatic monologue to show the level of control the Duke has over his late duchess, even in death, as no one else has the opportunity to speak” will

• Including historical facts or biographical information about the poet adds no value to your answers

  • If you are addressing the focus of the question, then you are addressing context

• If you know the poems well, you will be able to demonstrate this knowledge and understanding in the exam. Learn the poems rather than learning lists of quotes

• Make sure you read the question and highlight the focus. Then, decide on which poem you can make most links with the poem given to you on the paper

• You don’t get extra marks for more quotations, but you do get more marks for making plenty of interesting comments about the quotes you have selected

• Using the poet’s name can help you think about the text as a conscious construct, and will keep reminding you that the poet deliberately put the poem together

• Avoid making sweeping generalisations, such as “all women were treated badly in the 18th century”. Make it relevant to the text. For example, “In this poem the woman is subject to control and oppression by her husband”

• Use comparative connectives in your answer, such as “similarly”, “likewise”, “on the other hand” and “contrastingly”