The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Lesson Plan

A Gory Allegory

Kind of Activity:

Group Discussion

Objective:

If It Was All A Metaphor, What Would It All Be A Metaphor For?

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.2, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.3

Structure:

For most of this lesson plan, we've accepted the Mariner's story at face value, insofar as treating the spirits, seraphs, Death and Life-in-Death as real within the context of the tale. However, it's worth entertaining the possibility that some or all of what the Mariner encounters may be allegorical - that is, representative of more realistic events.

Allow students to form small groups. Within these groups, they should discuss the supernatural characters and...