Introduction to Poem and Poet
This poem addresses the very current topic of immigration. Through its language, imagery and content, it presents the journey towards being accepted into the life and culture of the UK. Despite the serious issue, it is not without humour.
Read about Daljit Nagra at his website here. He has a big presence on youtube - try to explore some of his other poetry and listen to various interviews.
In particular, listen to him reading "Look we have Coming to Dover" and discussing poetry and identity by clicking on the videos below:
This poem addresses the very current topic of immigration. Through its language, imagery and content, it presents the journey towards being accepted into the life and culture of the UK. Despite the serious issue, it is not without humour.
Read about Daljit Nagra at his website here. He has a big presence on youtube - try to explore some of his other poetry and listen to various interviews.
In particular, listen to him reading "Look we have Coming to Dover" and discussing poetry and identity by clicking on the videos below:
Key Themes
immigration
language
identity and the outsider
acceptance
Britishness and Englishness
Poems for Comparison
Giuseppe - exploration of identity and difference
Balaklava - exploration of an experience and its effects
The War Correspondent - descriptive detail of place
Ode on a Grayson Perry Urn - identity and difference
You, Shiva and My Mum - experiencing a new culture
Helpful Information
Click on the words below to fid some helpful information:
blarnies
Blair
Britannia
Activities
1) Read the Guardian article about David Cameron referring to a "bunch of migrants" here and "swarms" here at the Independent. Do you think that using this sort of language is "callous" and "dehumanising". Pick six words that the poem uses to suggest that immigrants are viewed poorly. Explain your choices.
2) Read Matthew Arnold's poem "Dover Beach" here. Why do you think Nagra used a quotation from this poem as an epigraph?
3) Explore the title "Look we have coming to Dover". Some people (known in language circles as prescriptivists) would suggest that this is not correct English. Describe carefully how this title does not conform to the rules of standard English. Check out what Nagra himself says here. Find some other examples of non-standard words or phrases. What effect is achieved by using language in this way?
4) Identify all the pronouns used in the poem. What does the poet's use of these pronouns tell you about the experience of immigration. Now look at the verbs, "stowed", "phlemged," "hutched," "unclocked," "ennobled," and finally "Blair'd". What do they imply about the journey of a migrant.
5) Look up the meaning of "alfresco". Why do you think the poet made this word choice? Now look at the last stanza. Does this enhance your understanding of the purpose of the word "alfresco"?
5) Look at the definition of satire here. Now read the poem again. Describe how the poet might be satirising some common attitudes towards immigrants. How ould you describe the tone of this poem? Angry, humorous, disillusioned, frustrated, confident?
6) Now look at the analytical notes here. Do you agree with the points made here? Can you improve on the analysis? Pick three quotations of your own to analyse closely.
Extension
A) The White Cliffs of Dover have an iconic place in the culture of the UK. Read about the campaign to save them here and hear Vera Lynn sing about them here.
B) Consider the way that the issue of migration is reported in the press here.
C) Read some of the stories about moving to the UK here.
D) Click here to read an interesting article on language and one on "grammar Nazi's" here. Consider the links between language and identity. Are we right to correct our children when they uses non-standard language such as "I done"?
E) Click here to read "From Blair to Corbyn" and find out more about the Blair years.
Image courtesy of Mister GC at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
immigration
language
identity and the outsider
acceptance
Britishness and Englishness
Poems for Comparison
Giuseppe - exploration of identity and difference
Balaklava - exploration of an experience and its effects
The War Correspondent - descriptive detail of place
Ode on a Grayson Perry Urn - identity and difference
You, Shiva and My Mum - experiencing a new culture
Helpful Information
Click on the words below to fid some helpful information:
blarnies
Blair
Britannia
Activities
1) Read the Guardian article about David Cameron referring to a "bunch of migrants" here and "swarms" here at the Independent. Do you think that using this sort of language is "callous" and "dehumanising". Pick six words that the poem uses to suggest that immigrants are viewed poorly. Explain your choices.
2) Read Matthew Arnold's poem "Dover Beach" here. Why do you think Nagra used a quotation from this poem as an epigraph?
3) Explore the title "Look we have coming to Dover". Some people (known in language circles as prescriptivists) would suggest that this is not correct English. Describe carefully how this title does not conform to the rules of standard English. Check out what Nagra himself says here. Find some other examples of non-standard words or phrases. What effect is achieved by using language in this way?
4) Identify all the pronouns used in the poem. What does the poet's use of these pronouns tell you about the experience of immigration. Now look at the verbs, "stowed", "phlemged," "hutched," "unclocked," "ennobled," and finally "Blair'd". What do they imply about the journey of a migrant.
5) Look up the meaning of "alfresco". Why do you think the poet made this word choice? Now look at the last stanza. Does this enhance your understanding of the purpose of the word "alfresco"?
5) Look at the definition of satire here. Now read the poem again. Describe how the poet might be satirising some common attitudes towards immigrants. How ould you describe the tone of this poem? Angry, humorous, disillusioned, frustrated, confident?
6) Now look at the analytical notes here. Do you agree with the points made here? Can you improve on the analysis? Pick three quotations of your own to analyse closely.
Extension
A) The White Cliffs of Dover have an iconic place in the culture of the UK. Read about the campaign to save them here and hear Vera Lynn sing about them here.
B) Consider the way that the issue of migration is reported in the press here.
C) Read some of the stories about moving to the UK here.
D) Click here to read an interesting article on language and one on "grammar Nazi's" here. Consider the links between language and identity. Are we right to correct our children when they uses non-standard language such as "I done"?
E) Click here to read "From Blair to Corbyn" and find out more about the Blair years.
Image courtesy of Mister GC at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
