On a Portrait of a Deaf Man Starter: Discuss Why do some people turn to God when someone dies or something negative happens?  Conversely, why do people turn away from God when someone dies? Using a dictionary, write down the definition of the word ‘agnostic’

First impressions  Read the poem.  What are your first impressions of the tone and meaning?

What are the positive and negative images in the poem What are the positive and negative images in the poem? Draw a table or highlight quotes on your copy of the poem. Positive Negative  

Tone Which word(s) from the list below would you use to describe how the last line of the last stanza should be read? Explain your reasons Bitterly Morosely Sarcastically Angrily Accusatory What is the effect of the direct address to God, ‘You’? How is the tone implied? What is the tone of “Say ‘Save his soul and pray.’”?

Structure and form  Label the rhyme scheme on your copies of the poem. How does the continuous structure and rhythm reflect the speaker’s feelings? What do you notice about the fourth lines of the first four stanzas of the poem? How is this effective in terms of structural technique?

Meaning Meaning  ‘On a Portrait of a Deaf Man’ conveys memories of happiness, though regret and sadness stir amongst the narrator’s emotions; the poem is one of contrasts and flitting attitudes. It has been said that the ‘Deaf Man’ was in fact the poet’s dead father, with whom Betjeman had a difficult relationship. Why, therefore, do you think Betjeman does not specifically mention his father in the poem? What is the effect?