Poems/short story (stuff on study guide)

What does the bird imagery suggest about the nature of hope in Dickinson's poem?

It suggests that hope is delicate yet persistent, and naturally resides in the soul.

How is the theme of resilience shown in Dickinson's "Hope is a Thing with Feathers"?

Through the bird's unwavering song during storms, symbolizing inner strength in adversity.

How is Death portrayed in the beginning of "Because I Could Not Stop for Death"?

Death is personified as a polite, patient carriage driver, creating a calm tone.

What deeper meaning does the carriage ride in "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" symbolize?

It represents the journey from life to the afterlife.

What does the raven symbolize in Poe's poem, and how does it affect the speaker?

The raven symbolizes grief and loss; it drives the speaker into madness.

How would you describe the mood created in "The Raven"?

Dark, eerie, and increasingly hopeless.

How does Poe use sound devices to build rhythm and emotion in "The Raven"?

He uses alliteration, rhyme, and repetition to intensify the poem's rhythm and emotional tension.

What does Mary Oliver encourage readers to consider about their own lives in "The Summer Day"?

To reflect on the purpose and value of their time on Earth.

How does the speaker's tone in "The Summer Day" reflect her relationship with nature?

Curious and reverent, showing deep appreciation for the natural world.

What message does "Wild Geese" offer about human emotion and belonging?

It reassures readers that they are part of nature and do not need to be perfect to belong.

What does the image of wild geese represent in Oliver's poem?

Natural freedom and the instinctual movement toward healing and connection.

What literary device does Dickinson use to explore the nature of fame in "Fame is a Bee"?

Metaphor – comparing fame to a bee.

How does Dickinson describe fame through her metaphor of a bee?

Fame can be sweet like honey, have a song like a bee’s buzz, but also sting.

What idea about beauty does Emerson express in "The Rhodora"?

True beauty exists for its own sake, not just to be seen by others.

What does Emerson suggest about the Rhodora blooming in a hidden place?

Beauty and purpose are meaningful even if no one witnesses them.

What point is Thoreau making about human knowledge in "Men Say They Know Many Things"?

People claim to know much, but often lack true understanding of life’s deeper truths.

What tone does Thoreau use at the end of his poem, and what words convey that tone?

Cynical and resigned – he uses irony and finality to convey disappointment in limited human knowledge.

What message does Georgia Douglas Johnson convey in "The Heart of a Woman"?

The emotional burden and quiet suffering of women, especially in a restricted society.

Which image in "The Heart of a Woman" best reflects the speaker's emotional pain?

“Falls back with a pain / Into the days again” – showing retreat from freedom to confinement.

Why does Langston Hughes use multiple similes in "A Dream Deferred"?

To vividly illustrate the negative consequences of unfulfilled dreams.

How does the final line of "A Dream Deferred" affect the tone of the poem?

It shifts to a warning, suggesting potential destruction or explosion from repressed hope.

What does the caged bird symbolize in Maya Angelou's poem?

Oppression, restriction, and the longing for freedom.

How does Angelou contrast the free bird and the caged bird to convey her message?

The free bird represents opportunity, while the caged bird embodies struggle and injustice.

How would you describe the tone of "Still I Rise"?

Defiant, confident, and empowering.

What effect does the repeated phrase "I rise" have in Angelou's poem?

It emphasizes strength, resilience, and the speaker's refusal to be oppressed.

What warning or lesson is offered in the final lines of Gwendolyn Bennett's "Sonnet"?

Love can be fragile, and heartbreak inevitable when illusions fade.

How does the tone shift between the beginning and end of "Sonnet"?

It begins romantic and hopeful, but ends with disappointment and disillusionment.

What role does imagery play in shaping the speaker's experience in "The Fish"?

It brings the fish's physical features vividly to life, enhancing the speaker’s respect and awe.

What does the speaker learn about beauty and resilience in Bishop's "The Fish"?

True beauty lies in survival and dignity, not outward appearance.

How does the tone of "The Fish" shift from beginning to end?

It shifts from detached observation to admiration and emotional connection.

How can you tell the difference between Romantic and Realist literature based on what they focus on?

Romanticism emphasizes emotion, nature, and imagination, while Realism focuses on everyday life and factual representation.

What is one belief that sets Transcendentalist writers apart from other movements?

The belief that truth and understanding come from personal intuition and a deep connection with nature.

How would a Transcendentalist like Emerson or Thoreau likely describe true wisdom?

As self-reliant, spiritual insight that comes from nature and inner reflection.

What message does Shirley Jackson convey about tradition in "The Lottery"?

That blindly following tradition can lead to senseless violence and cruelty.

What does the black box represent in "The Lottery," and why is it important?

It symbolizes outdated traditions and the community’s reluctance to change.

How does Jackson create a disturbing atmosphere in "The Lottery"?

Through contrast – a peaceful setting with an increasingly ominous tone and suspenseful pacing.

What is the main source of conflict between the narrator and her mother in "Two Kinds"?

The mother’s high expectations clash with the daughter’s desire for independence and self-identity.

How does the narrator change her view of her mother by the end of "Two Kinds"?

She gains a deeper understanding of her mother’s intentions and sees the complexity of her love.

What theme is explored through the narrator's struggle in "Two Kinds"?

The difficulty of balancing cultural expectations with personal identity.

What does the empty, automated house reveal about the world of "There Will Come Soft Rains"?

That humanity has been wiped out, and technology continues to function pointlessly.

How does Bradbury use irony in "There Will Come Soft Rains"?

Technology survives without people, showing its cold efficiency and humans’ dependence on it.

What is the central message of "There Will Come Soft Rains" about humanity and technology?

That technological progress without moral and environmental awareness can lead to destruction.