Evidence Not Seen
Why was Darlene taken to a work camp?
She was suspected to be an American spy!
How many bananas did Darlene receive in the camp?
92
What is Uncle Henry's complaint about the newspapers?
They use too many clichés.
In the poem, "Some Like Poetry," what does the poet say is the trend for liking poetry?
Not even the majority of people like it.
What literary tool is being used in the title? Explain it.
The poet uses personification to say the clouds are mean. This is giving a humanlike personality to the clouds.
What was Kampili like?
The conditions were horrible. People were overworked and in her time there, Darlene was basically withering away. The guards were also harsh and cruel and Darlene constantly feared for her life.
What realization does Darlene conclude this excerpt with?
She says, "nothing is impossible to my God."
What is Uncle Henry's plan to stop the newspapers from using clichés?
He buys a bunch of blue spray paint to spray the trees with. This will block the newspaper from reporting on the fall foliage with clichés.
What is the viewpoint of the speaker in the poem, "Height"?
He is on top of a tall building.
What quality does the poet give to the "traveling flake of snow" in the poem?
It is indecisive and trying to decide where to go.
Who were the Kempeitai?
The secret police in Japan
What did Darlene realize after Mr. Yamaji left her cell?
She failed to bow to the officials. She thought they would come back and beat her.
What is ironic about the outcome of Uncle Henry's plan?
In "Height," what does the speaker compare people to?
What is the main idea of the poem?
Just like people, nature is not perfect?
What role does Mr. Yamaji play in the story?
He is the familiar face that shows up to the camp after Darlene had not seen a familiar smile in so long!
OR
He is the one that brings Darlene the bananas.
Describe Darlene's thought process after she sees the other person receive bananas.
She instantly begins craving them, but tries to rationalize how God could not get her bananas.
What was Uncle Henry's FIRST plan to get the newspaper to report on something that was not cliché?
Instead of frying an egg on the sidewalk on a hot day, he tries to fry chicken. The newspaper does not care to report.
What are some literary tools used in "Some Like Poetry"?
Repetition
Simile
Imagery
Why do you think the poet used random capitalization?
It adds emphasis to certain words. You also must capitalize proper nouns, specifically names, so it also works as a form of personification.
What piece of wisdom does Darlene's husband give her early on in the story?
He said:
"Remember one thing, dear: God said that He would never leave us or forsake us."
What were the inmates expected to do when the Japanese officers visited the camp?
They had to "bow low at a perfect ninety-degree angle." If they failed to do so, they'd be brutally struck with a cane.
In "Height," who does the speaker start to see on the ground below?
He sees familiar faces. One reminds him of his cousin and another of his mother.
What does this line in the poem mean? "Nature, like Us is sometimes caught/Without her Diadem"
Nature can have an "off day" too.