Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · English Literature

    Course version: 9ET0 · Version from Sept 2015

    Poetry – Section A: Post-2000 Poetry – Poems of the Decade: An Anthology…

    Full specification wording

    Component 3: Poetry – Section A: Post-2000 Poetry – Poems of the Decade: An Anthology of the Forward Books of Poetry 2002–2011: From the Journal of a Disappointed Man Andrew Motion

    Andrew Motion's 'From the Journal of a Disappointed Man' explores masculinity, physical labour, and the alienation of the observer.

    Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9ET0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 16 of 20
    • 3 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    Andrew Motion's 'From the Journal of a Disappointed Man' explores masculinity, physical labour, and the alienation of the observer. The poem contrasts the silent, intellectual narrator with the physical workmen trying to drive a pile into a pier. Motion uses a regular stanza structure to reflect the repetitive nature of the work, while enjambment creates a conversational tone. The workmen's failure to complete their task mirrors the narrator's own disappointment and detachment from traditional masculine roles.

    What earns the marks

    • Analyse the contrast between the intellectual narrator and the physical labourers.
    • Evaluate the use of regular four-line stanzas to represent the repetitive, mechanical nature of the workmen's task.
    • Explore the theme of failed masculinity and impotence, symbolised by the pile that cannot be driven into the pier.
    • Examine the use of enjambment and caesura to create a reflective, observational pace that contrasts with the physical exertion described.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Assuming the narrator feels superior to the workmen.

      Put it right: Recognise that the narrator feels alienated and equally disappointed in his own lack of purpose.

    • Ignoring the significance of the title.

      Put it right: Explicitly link the 'disappointment' to both the workmen's failed task and the narrator's existential state.

    • Focusing only on the workmen's physical actions.

      Put it right: Analyse the linguistic contrast between the men's sparse dialogue and the narrator's complex vocabulary.

    Exam tips

    • Compare the presentation of masculinity in this poem with other poems in the anthology, such as 'Giuseppe' or 'Material'.
    • Use specific terminology like 'enjambment' and 'caesura' to explain how the poem's pace reflects the narrator's observational stance.
    • Discuss the symbolic significance of the 'pile' and the 'pier' in relation to the theme of futility.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Component 3: Poetry – Section A: Post-2000 Poetry – Poems of the Decade: An Anthology of the Forward Books of Poetry 2002–2011: From the Journal of a Disappointed Man Andrew Motion lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    In Andrew Motion's 'From the Journal of a Disappointed Man', what activity is the speaker observing the workmen attempting to complete?

    Listen

    Andrew Motion's 'From the Journal of a Disappointed Man' explores masculinity, physical labour, and the alienation of the observer. The poem contrasts the silent, intellectual narrator with the physical workmen trying to drive a pile into a pier. Motion uses a regular stanza structure to reflect the repetitive nature of the work, while enjambment creates a conversational tone. The workmen's failure to complete their task mirrors the narrator's own disappointment and detachment from traditional masculine roles. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Analyse the contrast between the intellectual narrator and the physical labourers. Evaluate the use of regular four-line stanzas to represent the repetitive, mechanical nature of the workmen's task. Explore the theme of failed masculinity and impotence, symbolised by the pile that cannot be driven into the pier. Examine the use of enjambment and caesura to create a reflective, observational pace that contrasts with the physical exertion described. A common slip: Assuming the narrator feels superior to the workmen. Instead, recognise that the narrator feels alienated and equally disappointed in his own lack of purpose. Exam tip: Compare the presentation of masculinity in this poem with other poems in the anthology, such as 'Giuseppe' or 'Material'.

    See it

    A top-down flowchart. The intellectual narrator leads to an articulate monologue, and the physical workmen lead to monosyllabic speech; both of these feed into a divide between different types of men. Separately, the workmen trying to drive a pile into a pier leads to failure to complete the task, which leads both to the narrator's disappointment and detachment and to the futility of their endeavours; both of these in turn lead to failed masculinity and impotence.
    Shows how the contrast between the narrator and the workmen, and the workmen's failed task, lead to the poem's themes of division, disappointment and failed masculinity.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Masculinity

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Alienation

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Futility

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    Masculinity
    The poem explores this through the contrast between the intellectual narrator and the physical workmen, and through failed masculinity and impotence.
    Alienation
    The state of the observer in the poem, who feels detached from traditional masculine roles and equally disappointed in his own lack of purpose.
    Futility
    The quality shown by the workmen's failure to complete their task, which mirrors the narrator's own disappointment and detachment.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A top-down flowchart. The intellectual narrator leads to an articulate monologue, and the physical workmen lead to monosyllabic speech; both of these feed into a divide between different types of men. Separately, the workmen trying to drive a pile into a pier leads to failure to complete the task, which leads both to the narrator's disappointment and detachment and to the futility of their endeavours; both of these in turn lead to failed masculinity and impotence.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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