There �s not much on the net about that! I found this link,but it �s just a comment.
There �s a skit on it, I expect you know, will get that link up.
It �s a very simple poem, written to evoke sympathy and pity. Is he criticising the system, or just focusing on the widow herself?
I would ask the kids to look out the alliteration with �w � in stanza 1, that starts with the title. Stanza 2 starts off with alliteration on �d �. In stanza 4 and 5, there is repetition of �Once �, listing the things in life she once had and has now lost. it �s a short, summary word. A few more things to highlight: the evocative words describing the downs - drear, wide, bleak. Play on �oh � sound, which is a sorrowful exclamation - �cold snows �. Short last line of each stanza, brings us up short to realise the awful finality and hopelessness of her situation. The pathetic fallacy (is this the term when Nature reflects the human�s feelings???) - the scene reflects the widow �s position - �shelterless/naked �. The uncaring attitude of the passersby in the carriage. Contrast this with the story of the good Samaritan, which all the poet �s readers would be well aware of. Depending on how long you have on this poem, I would have a look at the poet �s life, which is very varied and interesting.
