Hanging Fire
What does the refrain “and momma’s in the bedroom with the door closed” imply about the speaker?
The speaker feels cut off from her mother and is lonely.
What does the poet imply about the speaker’s relationship with her son?
The speaker feels more distant from her son.
What do both poems explore about adolescence?
That adolescence comes with many challenges.
What is the form of both poems?
free verse
Which line in Hanging Fire shows the speaker’s anxiety about the future?
“suppose I die before graduation / they will sing sad melodies.”
How does the poet make the speaker sound like a teenager?
By using language that sounds like she’s discussing problems with a friend.
Why does the poet use varied line lengths in the poem?
To portray the changing moods of a teen.
How do both poets use structure to express emotion?
Both use short or varied lines to mirror confusion and emotional shifts.
In which poem are all stanzas roughly the same length?
Hanging Fire
Which excerpt shows the mother’s awareness of change?
“A deep, resonant voice answers when I call home.”
Why does the poet rarely use punctuation when the narrator shifts thoughts?
To emphasize how overwhelmed the narrator feels.
What theme is developed by lines 20–24?
Teens try to grow up by pulling away from their mothers.
Which poem ends each stanza with the same repetition?
Hanging Fire
Which structural feature is unique to “Hanging Fire”?
Each stanza ends with the same refrain.
Which excerpt shows the teen’s restless emotions?
“Intermittent impulses, quickly sated, / rarely fill his emptiness.”
Why does the poet describe the speaker’s fears and worries?
To give insight into common experiences many teens face on a daily basis.
What do the opening lines “A deep, resonant voice answers when I call home. / My child is gone—” suggest?
The son has matured and the mother feels his absence.
Which poem shows the mother’s perspective?
“Summer of His Fourteenth Year.”
How do short or abrupt lines affect tone?
They create a fragmented, emotional rhythm reflecting adolescence.
Which theme connects both poems?
Adolescence brings emotional distance and confusion.
What is the effect of the short lines in “Hanging Fire”?
They indicate the thoughts going through the speaker’s head each moment.
How does the poem’s structure reflect its theme?
The changing line lengths and pauses mirror the distance and emotional shifts between mother and son.
How do both poems show the challenges between teens and parents?
They show how both sides struggle with distance and independence.
How do both poets use line breaks to develop theme?
Breaks emphasize moments of loss, distance, and emotional reflection.
How do both poems’ structures reinforce their themes?
“Hanging Fire’s” repetition shows isolation; “Summer…”’s varied lines show emotional distance.