PRE-READING 1. Discuss the connotations of the word ‘bread’.
2. Share your knowledge about making bread. Trace the development of the ingredients from field to table.
3. Can you think of any ways in which the stages of a relationship could be compared to the stages of making bread?
COMPREHENDING AND RESPONDING 1. Who or what do you think the wheat might be a metaphor for?
2. What emotions do you think the ‘she’ in the poem might be feeling? Give reasons for your answer.
3. Explain lines 16-20 in your own words. 4. Which image from this poem is your favourite and why? 5. Did you find the wordplay in this poem entertaining? Explain your answer. 6. How would you describe the tone of this poem? Give reasons for your answer.
7. This poem is written in free verse. Why, in your opinion, did Kennelly choose this format for this poem?
8. What, in your opinion, is the theme of this poem?
CREATING
1. Write an article for a popular magazine exploring the way love is portrayed in poetry and/or songs. Use ‘Love Hurts?’ as your title.
2. Kennelly uses personification in this poem. Pick an object (such as a chair, a lamp or a phone) and write a monologue from the perspective of that object.
3. Write a short story, with just two characters, about the beginning of a romantic relationship.
