Coromandel Fishers - Sarojini Naidu/ Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan: Coromandel Fishers by Sarojini Naidu

Subject: English

Poem: Coromandel Fishers

Poet: Sarojini Naidu

Duration: 2 periods (40 mins each)

Board: CBSE

General Objectives

To appreciate the beauty and rhythm of poetry
To understand the poem’s themes, tone, and poetic devices
To improve vocabulary and comprehension skills
To connect the message of the poem with real-life values like unity, courage, and nature appreciation

Specific Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

Recite and explain the poem with correct intonation and expression
Identify the literary devices used
Interpret the deeper meaning of the poem
Enrich vocabulary by learning new words from the poem
Analyze the message conveyed by the poet

Teaching Aids

Whiteboard and markers
Audio of poem recitation
Printed poem with glossary
Mind map (visual on projector or chart)

Introduction (5 minutes)

Ask students about coastal life and fishermen
Discuss Sarojini Naidu’s background briefly – known as the Nightingale of India
Share the historical and cultural setting of the poem

Reading and Explanation (15 minutes)

Teacher recites the poem
Students follow with a choral reading
Line-by-line explanation with emphasis on tone, mood, and imagery

Vocabulary Enrichment: Hard Words with Meanings

Word	Meaning
Gallant	Brave and heroic
Harbors	Safe places for ships
Leaping	Jumping forcefully
Hastening	Moving quickly
Oars	Long poles used to row boats
Foam	Frothy white mass on waves
Brothers	Used metaphorically to show unity
Waken	Awaken or rouse
Call of the sea	A metaphor for deep connection to the ocean
Strand	Shore or beach

Mind Map

Coromandel Fishers – Mind Mapping

[Coromandel Fishers]

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| | | |

[Theme] [Poetic Devices] [Tone] [Message]

- Nature’s call - Metaphor - Urgent - Unity

- Fisher life - Personification - Motivational - Bravery

- Brotherhood - Alliteration - Rhythmic - Harmony with nature

Poetic Devices

Alliteration: “gallant gold,” “sleepy sea”
Personification: “The wind lies asleep”
Metaphor: “Call of the sea”
Imagery: Visual and auditory images of the sea and shore
Symbolism: The sea as life, challenge, and destiny

Discussion Questions

What values are reflected in the lives of the fishermen?
How does the poem portray nature and the sea?
What is the significance of “brothers of the sea”?
How does the poet use rhythm to match the sea’s movement?

Assessment Activities

Listening & Speaking:

Listen to an audio recitation and identify rhythm/pitch
Recite the poem in pairs with expression

Reading:

Reading comprehension questions from the textbook/workbook

Grammar & Vocabulary:

Match the words with their meanings
Fill in the blanks using new vocabulary

Writing:

Write a short paragraph: What lessons can we learn from the fishermen?

Homework / Extension Activities

Write a diary entry from the point of view of a fisherman at dawn
Create a mini-poster illustrating the life of a fisherman, using one stanza of the poem

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

Develop an appreciation for poetic expression
Gain insight into coastal life and nature’s beauty
Expand their vocabulary and literary knowledge
Learn values like unity, courage, and connection with nature

How to Connect the Poem's Message to Real-Life Values

1. Unity

Poem lines:
"Brothers of the sea"
"Let us set our catamarans free..."

Classroom connection:

Discuss how fishermen work together in teams—no one goes to sea alone.
Ask students: “Can you think of times when working with your classmates helped you do something better—like a group project or sports?”
Activity: Do a short teamwork challenge (e.g., build a paper boat in teams of 3). Debrief with: “What did you learn about teamwork from this?”

2. Courage

Poem lines:
"The sea is our mother, the cloud is our brother..."
"He who holds the storm by the hair..."

Classroom connection:

Talk about how fishermen risk their lives every day—facing storms, high waves, and the unknown—to support their families.
Ask students: “When was the last time you did something brave even when it was difficult or scary?”
Activity: Share short real-life stories of unsung heroes—like delivery workers, farmers, or even classmates showing courage.

3. Nature Appreciation

Poem lines:
"The wind lies asleep in the arms of the dawn..."
"The sea is our mother..."

Classroom connection:

Point out the poem’s love for natural elements—wind, sea, sky, dawn.
Discuss how fishermen respect and depend on nature, not exploit it.
Ask students: “Why should we protect nature? How do you personally take care of the environment?”
Activity:

Quick nature sketching session of sea, boats, or fish
Class pledge on reducing plastic use or saving water

Wrap-Up: Reflective Prompt

Ask students to write a few lines on:
"What value from this poem do I want to practice more in my life, and why?"

Poetic Devices in Coromandel Fishers

1. Alliteration

Definition: Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of nearby words
Example:

"gallant gold"
"sleepy sea"
"gathering gains"
Effect: Creates rhythm and musicality

2. Metaphor

Definition: A direct comparison without using "like" or "as"
Example:

"The sea is our mother" — compares the sea to a nurturing mother
"He who holds the storm by the hair" — compares a powerful person to someone who can control nature
Effect: Adds depth and emotional connection

3. Personification

Definition: Giving human qualities to non-human things
Example:

"The wind lies asleep" — wind is given the human action of sleeping
Effect: Makes nature feel alive and relatable

4. Imagery

Definition: Descriptive language that appeals to the senses
Examples:

"The wind lies asleep in the arms of the dawn like a child that has cried all night"
"The forest is asleep in the arms of the dawn"
Effect: Helps readers visualize scenes and feel emotions

5. Repetition

Definition: Repeating words or lines for emphasis
Example:

The word "brothers" is repeated to show unity
"Toil" and "call of the sea" appear more than once
Effect: Reinforces key themes like unity and the pull of the sea

6. Symbolism

Definition: Use of symbols to represent ideas
Examples:

Sea symbolizes life, destiny, and livelihood
Mother symbolizes nurture and protection
Effect: Adds layers of meaning beyond the literal

7. Rhythm and Rhyme Scheme

Rhyme Scheme: AABB (in most stanzas)
Effect: Gives the poem a flowing, musical quality—like waves or rowing

Deeper Meaning of Coromandel Fishers

Although the poem appears to be about fishermen getting ready to go to sea, it carries symbolic meaning that goes beyond daily life.

1. The Sea as a Metaphor for Life and Purpose

The sea is not just water—it represents life's journey, full of risks and rewards.
The call of the sea is like the call of duty or destiny—something we can’t ignore if we want to live with meaning.
The fishermen don’t fear the storm—just like we shouldn’t fear the challenges of life.

2. Unity and Brotherhood

The poet uses the word "brothers" to show solidarity and teamwork.
It’s a reminder that working together and supporting each other helps us face life's hardships.
This reflects the idea of national unity, which was very important during India's freedom struggle (the era when the poem was written).

3. Courage in the Face of Challenges

The fishermen bravely head into the sea at dawn, facing dangers like storms.
It teaches us to be fearless and bold in the face of life’s difficulties.
The poet is encouraging us to be determined and strong-willed, even when life feels uncertain.

4. Harmony with Nature

The fishermen respect and depend on nature—they call the sea their mother and the wind their brother.
The poem reminds us to live in harmony with nature, not control or destroy it.
It teaches eco-consciousness before that was even a word.

Summary of Deeper Message:

Live bravely, support each other, follow your calling, and stay connected with nature.

The poem is both a celebration of coastal life and a spiritual call to action—reminding us to live with courage, unity, and respect for nature