Literary Devices
The way a piece of literature makes the reader feel
Mood
The theme of "I'm Nobody! Who are you?"
The joy of being nobody
The theme of "America"
America is a diverse land of opportunity
Where is the speaker of "Crossing Jordan" going?
To a place where he feels safe and at peace, or Heaven
How does Juror #8 drive the plot forward by creating conflict?
He forces the other jurors to evaluate the evidence more closely, creating disagreement among them and complicating the case.
Giving a nonhuman object human characteristics
Personification
What is the "profounder place" she refers to in "There is a solitude of space"?
Heaven
What ideas are being repeated in "I Hear America Singing"?
The numerous jobs that are found in America and how joyfully everyone is working
Why does he see no one else like him when he reaches his destination?
Because as a black man, he faced greater challenges on his journey that other black people like him could not overcome.
How does the season mirror the plot of the play?
The season is set in summer, when the weather is hot, humid, and oppressive. This mirrors the tension and frustration felt by the jurors as they debate the case.
Repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words (i.e., Mohamed made many moves.)
Alliteration
Why does she address the reader directly in "I'm Nobody! Who are you?"
To more clearly illustrate to the reader her feelings of contentment at being nobody.
Why does Whitman call America "a teeming nation of nations" in "Leaves of Grass"?
To show how diverse the country is and to show that it is the greatest nation, greater than all others
Why was he unprepared for his journey?
Because as a black man in America he faces more challenges than a white man would
How does the change in weather in Act 2 mirror the plot?
The weather is getting darker, hotter, and stormier, symbolizing the rising tensions and anger among the jurors as they debate the case more intensely.
Interrupting a line of poetry with a comma, period, or other piece of punctuation
Caesura
In "I heard a Fly buzz--when I died", why does she describe the fly in such detail?
The ordinary fly reminds her that her life is ordinary and unremarkable
What is America's attitude towards its past according to Whitman?
It embraces past mistakes and uses them to improve
What is his tone?
Frustrated, determined, hopeful
What is similar about Jurors 3 and 8?
Despite differing opinions on the case, both men are very determined and stick to their beliefs.
Referencing a real-life work, such as a book, movie, song, etc.
Allusion
In "There is a solitude of space", why does Dickinson compare life and death?
Life is lonely and isolating, but in death we are at peace and have privacy.
How does "America" show us Whitman's thoughts on individualism?
It shows us that he believes America is a place where anyone can be whatever they want to be, and each person finding their own success will lead to a successful society.
What is the allusion Hughes makes in the poem?
He alludes to the Bible by referencing the Jordan River, which he crosses to reach his destination.
Why do none of the jurors have names?
The writer wanted to show that their duty is greater than any one of them; their identities are not as important as the case and should not play a role in their decision (but do anyway)