The Second Coming Lesson Plan

What is the theme of "The Second Coming"? What specific lines and images demonstrate this theme for you? How does the title "The Second Coming" relate to that theme?

Although students can certainly point out things like religion and violence, most will probably key into the "end of the world" theme, illustrated by the descriptions of things falling apart and a beast in the desert. However, by connecting these images to the Christian idea of the Second Coming can open up to larger discussions about religion, violence, and society.

The first stanza ends with these two lines: "The best lack all conviction, while the worst / Are full of passionate intensity." What kind of...