Ode on the Death of a Favourite Cat/ Lesson Plan

Ode on the Death of a Favourite Cat: Lesson Plan

1. General Information

· Class: IX/X (can be adapted based on inclusion)

· Subject: English Literature

· Topic: Ode on the Death of a Favourite Cat

· Time: 45–60 minutes

· Poet: Thomas Gray

· Theme: Vanity, temptation, irony, morality

2. Learning Objectives

General Objectives

· To appreciate and interpret poetry

· To develop empathy and moral thinking

· To identify and analyze poetic devices

Specific Objectives

Students will be able to:

· Explain the central theme and moral of the poem

· Identify poetic devices like imagery, irony, and personification

· Interpret the allegorical elements of the poem

· Discuss consequences of vanity and greed

· Express their understanding through creative activities

3. Teaching-Learning Materials (TLM)

· Animated PPT with cat and fish visuals

· Printed poem copies

· Audio narration of the poem

· Flashcards of poetic devices

· Venn diagram template

· Pictures of cats/famous animals in literature (Garfield, Cheshire Cat, etc.)

4. Bloom’s Taxonomy Objectives

Level	Objective
Remembering	List the poetic devices used in the poem.
Understanding	Summarize the poem in their own words.
Applying	Illustrate the moral using real-life examples.
Analyzing	Compare the cat’s fate with human experiences of temptation.
Evaluating	Judge the cat’s actions—was it curiosity, vanity, or foolishness?
Creating	Write a short ode or poem about a pet or an object of vanity.

5. Introduction (5 minutes)

· Begin with a cat trivia quiz or display a meme (e.g., "Curiosity killed the cat")

· Ask students: "Have you ever wanted something so badly that you ignored the risks?"

6. Presentation (15–20 minutes)

· Read the poem aloud or play the audio version

· Use visuals to show the setting: a rich house, goldfish bowl, elegant cat

· Pause at key lines to explain meanings, discuss tone and symbolism

7. Poetic Devices

Device	Example	Effect
Imagery	"Her coat, that with the tortoise vies"	Creates visual beauty
Irony	The cat drowns while chasing beauty	Adds humor and a moral twist
Personification	The cat’s feelings and actions are humanized	Builds empathy and irony
Allusion	Reference to mythological Sirens	Adds depth to temptation motif
Rhyme Scheme	AABBCC...	Maintains musical flow
Moral Tone	Closing lines deliver a warning	Reflects the fable-like nature of poem

8. Venn Diagram

Topic: Compare Vanity in Animals and Humans

	Cat in Poem	Humans	Common Traits
Appearance	Elegant, graceful	Fashion, beauty standards	Focus on looks
Temptation	Goldfish = glittering distraction	Wealth, fame, power	Desire can override logic
Consequence	Death by drowning	Regret, downfall	Poor choices lead to loss

9. Activities (10–15 minutes)

Group Work

· Activity 1: Rewrite the poem as a fable with dialogue

· Activity 2: Make a list of 3 morals derived from the poem

· Activity 3: Draw or design a "Warning Poster" using the line “Nor all that glitters, gold.”

Homework / Home Assessment

· Write a diary entry from the perspective of the cat (before or after the fall)

· Create a short poem titled: "Curiosity's Curse"

10. Teacher’s Work

· Guide students through close reading

· Prompt deeper questions during group discussion

· Provide support for creative writing

11. Students’ Work

· Active participation

· Identify and explain literary devices

· Share group work outcomes

· Write and share reflective responses

12. Conclusion (5 minutes)

· Reinforce the moral: Don’t be blinded by appearances

· Connect to daily life: "What is your goldfish?"

· Quote the final lines for reflection

Context:
The poem was written for a friend, Horace Walpole, after one of his cats drowned in a goldfish tub. Gray noted that the poem was "rather too long for an epitaph," suggesting it went beyond a simple memorial.