Compare the ways that poets present the world in ‘Like an Heiress’ and one other poem from ‘Worlds and Lives’

Compare the ways that poets present lives in ‘With Birds You’re Never Lonely’ and one other poem from ‘Worlds and Lives’

Both Like an Heiress by Grace Nichols and The Jewellery Maker by Louisa Adjoa Parker explore how the world shapes – and is shaped by – women’s experiences, identities, and roles. Nichols presents a glamorous, performative world that reflects class, race and power, while Parker focuses on a quieter, emotionally rich world shaped by memory, grief, and craft. Although the tone, imagery, and voices of the two poems differ significantly, both poets examine how appearance and value are constructed through societal perspectives. Though the speakers live in very different circumstances, both poets question what is valued in the world and suggest that there is more meaning beneath appearances. ……

Video Breakdown preview

The video provides a step-by-step breakdown of a Level 6 answer and compares it with a Level 4 response for the AQA World and Lives poetry exam question:
“Compare the ways poets present the world in Like an Heiress and one other poem.”

The model answer compares Like an Heiress by Grace Nichols with The Jewellery Maker by Louisa Adjoa Parker.

The Level 6 response argues that both poems explore how the world reflects and shapes women’s identities, roles, and experiences, though they do so through contrasting tones and perspectives. Nichols presents a glamorous, performative world shaped by class, race, and appearance, while Parker presents a grounded, emotional world shaped by grief, labour, and memory.

The essay includes:

• • Close analysis of tone, imagery, metaphor, and symbolism.

  • Contextual insights into race, gender, class, and the invisibility of women’s labour.

  • A conceptual comparison of appearance vs authenticity, and surface value vs emotional truth.

  • Evaluative judgments about how each poet critiques societal values and what is truly meaningful in life.

In contrast, the Level 4 response shows understanding and some technique awareness, but lacks sustained argument, deeper interpretation, context, and evaluative insight. It’s more descriptive and does not fully explore the poets’ intentions or the implications of their work.

The video emphasizes that top-level answers go beyond describing content—they offer critical insights, connect context meaningfully, and develop a coherent conceptual argument throughout.