Symbols
What does the rooster symbolize in "Peurtoricaness" by Aurora Levin Morales?
"Waking up" to culture and identity, feels like she is at home.
Robert Frost writes, "The Gift of Outright," that was famously read that this event.
John F. Kennedy's Inauguration
In "A True Story" what literary term is primarily used when Aunt Rachel is speaking?
First Person Narration
In Whitman's "Song of Myself," the speaker celebrates himself while also connecting his expierences to all people. What major themes does this reflect?
Individualism / Unity of Humanity
In Martin Espada's "Alabanza" what does the word Alabanza mean?
Praise
What does "Gift Outright" in the title of Robert Frost's "The Gift Outright" symbolize in the poem?
Surrendering to the land of America
Martin Espada writes "Alabanza," a 2002 poem that honors these individuals in the 9/11 World Trade Center Attacks.
The 43-immigrant food-service workers
In Allen Ginsberg's "America", the speaker directly talks to America as if it can respond. What literary device is this?
Apostrophe
In "Story of an Hour" Mrs. Mallard reacts unexpectedly to hearing about her husband's death. What major theme does this reveal?
In "In the Field," what emotion affects many of the soldiers after Kiowa's death?
Guilt
What does the "darkness" symbolize in "America and I" by Yezierska?
Her past in Russia, and how alone and invisible she feels in America.
In Mark Twain's "The War Prayer," sharp critique of American imperialism and the moral complexities of war, particularly in the context of this War.
Philippine American War
In Walt Whitmans "Beat! Beat! Drums!" what literary device is used throughout the poem and how does it add to the story?
Anaphora is used to create a strong, rythmic flow that imitates the actual pounding of war drums.
In "America and I," what theme is shown through the narrator's struggle to fit into American society?
Identity / Immigration / Sense of belonging
In "Facing It" what allows the speaker to see himself and reflect on the past?
In “Vigil Strange I Kept on the Field One Night”, what does the dead soldier symbolize?
Personal loss and sacrifice of war
This person while working as a government clerk, also volunteered in military hospitals, caring for wounded soldiers. This experience deeply shaped his understanding of the war and influenced his later writing.
Walt Whitman
In McKay's "If We Must Die" the repeated use of "like" to compare people to hunted animals strengthens the poem's emotional impact. What literary device is being used and how does it contibute to the poems message?
Simile
The comparisons emphasize the violence and dehumanization faced by the speaker and strengthens the poems's call for diginity and resistance.
In "Harlem" what theme is explored through the repeated question "What happens to a dream deferred?"
The consequence of postponed dreams / Frustration caused by oppression
Who wrote the line / or which story contains the line "Free! Body and soul free!."
Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin
In “We Wear the Mask”, what does the mask symbolize?
To hide their pain and suffering to survive
The poem, "I, too," written by Langston Hughes shows that all people should have a place at the "table." This represents this theme and message.
Equality and American Identity
Throughout "Hills like White Elephants" by Hemingway the central conflict is never directly stated. What literary technique is this and how does it contribute to this story?
The technique is theory of omission (Iceberg Theory).
This forces readers to interpret the story through the characters dialogue, tone and text creating tension as well as highlights the emotional disconnect between the characters.
Both "America" by Ginsberg and "Harlem" by Hughes criticize American society. What shared themes connect these works?
Disillusionment with America / Inequality / Social Frustration
Who wrote the line / or which poem contains the line "For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you"
Song of Myself by Walt Whitman