The Highwayman - Lesson 11 - In the Hotseat PowerPoint

The "In the Hotseat" lesson is a dynamic and interactive approach to exploring the classic narrative poem "The Highwayman" by Alfred Noyes. Designed to deepen students' understanding of the characters and plot, the activity involves hotseating, a technique where students assume the roles of the poem's characters and respond to probing questions in character. The objective is to consolidate their grasp of the storyline and the motivations of the individuals within it, by examining their thoughts and feelings at a critical moment in the poem—just before the character Bess decides to pull the trigger.

Students are divided into groups, with each member taking on the role of one of the poem's key figures: Tim, Bess, the highwayman, the landlord, or a questioner. The questioner challenges the characters with a series of questions to elicit detailed responses that reveal a deep understanding of the character's perspective. Example questions include inquiring about Tim's regrets, Bess's feelings during her ordeal, the highwayman's reasons for returning to the inn, and the landlord's emotions about the events that transpired. The lesson culminates in a plenary session where groups can perform their hotseating exercise in front of the class, allowing for further questioning by the audience and reflection on what insights have been gained about the characters through this engaging activity.