The Highwayman - Lesson 3 - Tim the Ostler PowerPoint

In a comprehensive lesson focusing on characterisation in Alfred Noyes' poem "The Highwayman," students are invited to delve into the literary techniques of description, dialogue, and action. The lesson's objectives are to enhance the pupils' understanding of how authors craft characters using these elements and to foster a deeper comprehension of the characters within the narrative. Through the analysis of specific verses, students are encouraged to form initial impressions of Tim the Ostler, noting descriptive words and phrases that paint a picture of his character.

The lesson further explores the poem by examining how the highwayman, Bess, and Tim are presented to the reader. Students are tasked with re-reading selected verses and identifying quotations that showcase the use of description, dialogue, or action, and what these suggest about the characters. For instance, the phrase "His eyes were hollows of madness" is a vivid description that offers insights into the character's state of mind. The lesson includes worksheets to guide the students' analysis, providing sentence starters to aid in writing paragraphs that explain how Noyes employs these narrative techniques to bring his characters to life. This structured approach helps students to understand the multifaceted nature of characterisation and the impact of a writer's choices on storytelling.