'Disabled' by Wilfred Owen

The lesson on Wilfred Owen’s poem Disabled is designed to help students explore the poet’s depiction of the horrors of war and its aftermath, especially in the lives of disabled veterans. The key objectives of the lesson include:

Understanding the Themes and Imagery: Students are guided to analyze how Owen contrasts the soldier’s life before and after war, using imagery to evoke sympathy and highlight the futility of war.

Examining Structure and Tone: The lesson emphasizes the shift between past and present in the poem, as well as how the irregular rhyme scheme reflects the chaos of war.

Historical Context and Empathy: Students are introduced to the historical background of Wilfred Owen and World War I. They also consider modern perspectives on disability, featuring real-life examples like Sapper Matthew Weston, a contemporary veteran.

Critical Discussion and Reflection: Through discussions and activities such as responding to pictures, videos, and key questions, students reflect on the emotional impact of the poem, considering the reasons people enlist and the psychological toll of warfare.

The lesson ends with an optional creative homework task, asking students to write a letter from the perspective of a hospitalised soldier, encouraging empathy and deeper engagement with the poem’s themes.