Name the Poem
Which poem connects African American identity to ancient rivers and the history of civilisations?
BONUS 100 - How many stanzas are in this poem?
The Negro Speaks of Rivers
5
In Harlem, Hughes compares a delayed dream to several unpleasant or troubling things. What is the main poetic technique used in these comparisons?
Bonus 100: What does the simile 'Dried up like a raisin in the sun' represent?
Simile. The comparisons use words such as “like” to explore the possible consequences of a dream being delayed or denied.
Unfulfilled dreams loosing vitality, shrinking and drying up over time. The raisin itself symbolises hope fading
In Daybreak in Alabama, Hughes imagines a future shaped by music, colour and artistic expression. What does this imply about the society he hopes to create?
He imagines a more inclusive and harmonious society in which African American culture is valued and contributes to a shared future.
Why does Hughes use a historical narrative in In Explanation of Our Times?
To comment on the political and social attitudes of his time and encourage readers to question the forces shaping society. The poem connects contemporary concerns with broader historical patterns.
In Roland Hayes Beaten, how does Hughes use a real experience of racial violence to challenge the idea that achievement protects people from discrimination?
The poem shows that even a highly accomplished Black performer can be subjected to racist violence. This exposes the persistence of racial prejudice and the limits of individual success in overcoming systemic discrimination.
Which poem explores the speaker's mixed racial heritage through his relationship with his white father and Black mother?
Cross
How does Hughes use rhythm and musical features in Dream Boogie to communicate meaning?
BONUS 100: What poetic device is the quote "Hey, pop! / Re-pop! / Mop!"
The syncopated, jazz-influenced rhythm creates energy and reflects African American musical culture. The contrast between the lively sound and the poem's deeper concerns suggests that hardship can exist alongside cultural vitality.
Onomatopoeia or Assonance
In an opinion article, a writer states, “If we remain silent now, we may lose the rights previous generations fought to secure.” What is the writer implying?
Failing to act could allow rights to be weakened or lost. The writer encourages the audience to feel responsible for protecting those rights.
Why might an opinion writer use an anecdote about an ordinary person's experience to support an argument?
An anecdote makes an issue relatable and concrete, helping the audience connect emotionally with the people affected. It can also illustrate the writer's broader argument, although one story does not necessarily prove a general claim.
In Deferred, what concern does Hughes raise about postponed hopes and opportunities, and how could this connect to protest?
The poem raises concerns about the effects of waiting for opportunities or justice that never arrive. It connects to protest because ongoing frustration can encourage people to challenge the conditions preventing change.
Which poem takes the form of an English assignment and explores the relationship between a Black student, his white instructor and their shared humanity?
BONUS 100: What does 'The Hill' symbolise in this poem?
Theme for English B
Physical and Social distance between the mainly White College and the African-American Community
How does Hughes use contrast in Afro-American Fragment to explore the relationship between African American identity and cultural heritage?
The contrast between the speaker's present identity and a distant African heritage conveys a sense of separation and loss. It suggests that the history of displacement has complicated the speaker's connection to ancestral culture.
In Ku Klux, how does Hughes expose the relationship between racial violence and the abuse of power?
The poem exposes the brutality of racist violence and the way perpetrators use intimidation and racial hatred to maintain power. It challenges the legitimacy of a society that allows such violence to occur.
Why does Hughes use the voice of a mother speaking to future generations in The Negro Mother?
The maternal voice conveys sacrifice, care and historical memory while encouraging future generations to continue the struggle for freedom. It presents resistance as both an inheritance and a responsibility.
What is the difference between individual and collective protest? Give one example of each.
Individual protest involves one person challenging injustice, such as refusing to comply with a discriminatory rule. Collective protest involves people acting together, such as a march, strike or organised campaign.
Which poem presents African American history through a speaker who describes experiences of slavery, labour and racial oppression across different historical periods?
Negro
In The South, how does Hughes use imagery and personification to shape the reader's view of the American South?
The South is depicted through vivid, sometimes conflicting imagery that presents both its attraction and its dangers. This contrast exposes the tension between the region's beauty and the racism and violence associated with it.
A writer describes a new policy as “a costly failure that leaves vulnerable families behind”. What is implied, and how might this influence readers?
The policy is presented as ineffective, wasteful and harmful to vulnerable people. The evaluative and emotive language encourages readers to distrust the policy and support alternatives.
Why might an argument analyst examine the order in which a writer presents their reasons, rather than simply identifying each argument?
The sequence can show how the writer builds their case, establishes credibility, appeals to emotion or logic, and prepares the audience for a conclusion or call to action. Analysing progression explains how the argument works as a whole.
How can protest create change even when it does not immediately achieve its main goal? Explain two possible long-term impacts.
Protest can raise public awareness, change social attitudes, build solidarity, influence future campaigns, place pressure on decision-makers or establish a public record of injustice. Any two well-explained impacts earn full credit.
Which poem presents an older woman sharing stories of hardship and history with a younger generation, showing how cultural memory is passed down?
BONUS 100: What are the 4 things the speaker says 'I've been a....'
Aunt Sue's Stories
Slave, worker, singer, victim
How does the contrast between the speaker's present exclusion and his anticipated future in I, Too help Hughes communicate his message?
The contrast between being excluded from the table and anticipating a future when he will eat there presents racial inequality as unjust but not permanent. The speaker's confidence communicates dignity, belonging and hope for change.
A cartoon shows wealthy decision-makers standing above a crowd of struggling workers. What might the visual imply about power and inequality, and how could it position the audience?
The visual hierarchy implies that decision-makers hold disproportionate power while ordinary workers are disadvantaged. It may encourage the audience to view the situation as unfair and question those in authority.
In Likewise, why does Hughes use repetition and a recurring structure to connect the speaker's experiences with those of others?
Repetition reinforces the speaker's determination and highlights recurring experiences of hardship and resilience. The structure builds a sense of shared struggle, suggesting that individual experiences can connect people across social divisions.
In Freedom's Plow, Hughes presents freedom as something that must be built through struggle and collective effort. Explain how this idea connects to the methods and aims of a protest movement studied in class.
The poem presents progress as the result of sustained work by many people rather than a gift from those in power. Students should connect this idea to a studied movement's methods, such as organising, public demonstrations or civil disobedience, and explain how these methods seek social or political change.