10.3 Poem: The Unexplorer by Edna St Vincent Millay LITERACY
MANAGING MYSELF
Learning Intentions In this section you will … ✓ Consider different approaches to travel. ✓ Compare two poems about journeys.
Before Reading
In pairs, consider the title of the poem: The Unexplorer 1.
Is this a ‘real’ word? WORKING WITH OTHERS
2. What does the word communicate to you? 3. Based on the title, what do you think the poem will be about?
NUMERACY Reading STAYING WELL
The Unexplorer by Edna St Vincent Millay
There was a road ran past our house Too lovely to explore.
COMMUNICATION
I asked my mother once — she said That if you followed where it led It brought you to the milk-man’s door. (That’s why I have not travelled more.)
LITERACY
BEING CREATIVE COMMUNICATION
After Reading
Personal response Read the poem silently twice and then discuss your response to the following question: Who do you most identify with, the mother or the child? Give reasons for your answer.
MANAGING INFORMATION AND THINKING MANAGING MYSELF
WORKING WITH OTHERS LITERACY
I identify with the child: she sees nothing but utter delight in the road in front of her home. It is full of possibilities and adventure. To the child, the journey is important.
NUMERACY BEING CREATIVE STAYING WELL 380
I identify with the mother: she sees the road in front of her home as a means to an end: the milk-man’s door. To the mother the destination is important.
MANAGING INFORMATION AND THINKING MANAGING MYSELF BEING CREATIVE MANAGING INFORMATION AND THINKING
