George Herbert: Poems Lesson Plan

"Affliction" and Herbert's Life

Kind of Activity:

Classwide Discussion

Objective:

Students will read about Herbert's life to see how some of his experiences may have inspired "Affliction."

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.1, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.4, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.2

Structure:

Though the more obvious struggles in "Affliction" concern illness and death, the speaker also mentions a struggle with his vocation. He had planned for a life in "town"; God led him to the "gown" of academic and priestly service. This is exactly what happened in Herbert's own life.

Have students read Mark Jarman's article about...