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Thomas Hood wrote at the start of the nineteenth century, but he sounds surprisingly modern. In this poem, Hood takes a look at winter in a cold, urban climate, expressed with a nice sense of humour.

Instructions & downloads

Do the Preparation task first. Then go to Text and read the poem or story (you can also listen to the audio while you read). Next go to Task and do the activity.

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Preparation

We suggest you do the vocabulary activity below before you read or listen. Then read and/or listen to the poem and do the task to check your comprehension.

Exercise

Text

No

by Thomas Hood

No sun - no moon!
No morn - no noon -
No dawn - no dusk - no proper time of day -
No sky - no earthly view -
No distance looking blue -
No road - no street - no "t'other side the way" -
No end to any Row -
No indications where the Crescents go -
No top to any steeple -
No recognitions of familiar people -
No courtesies for showing 'em -
No knowing 'em! -
No travelling at all - no locomotion,
No inkling of the way - no notion -
"No go" - by land or ocean -
No mail - no post -
No news from any foreign coast -
No Park - no Ring - no afternoon gentility -
No company - no nobility -
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member -
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds -
November!

Task

In the poem the author mentions many of the benefits of nature and humanity that are missing in the winter months. Some of the ideas are below. Can you put them in the same order as they appear in the poem?

Exercise

Read text

Discussion

Can you write a humorous complaint in the style of Thomas Hood about some time when you cannot enjoy life because of the weather or some other cause? Alternatively, write on the theme of "Yes!" celebrating a time when life is very enjoyable and everything goes the right way for you.

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Comments

november

libyan princess's picture
Submitted by libyan princess on 21 January, 2012 - 16:27. Libya

i loved it cu it talks about November  and it is my month

About Thomas Hood

zhao wei's picture
Submitted by zhao wei on 6 December, 2011 - 15:42. China

Thomas Hood, British humorist and poet!

 I'm from hot city so we face

monaji's picture
Submitted by monaji on 27 February, 2011 - 16:16. Saudi Arabia

 I'm from hot city so we face same problems but with dust.