TEXT EVIDENCE (RL 7.1)
What event shows that Bess is willing to sacrifice for the Highwayman?
She shoots herself to warn him that the soldiers are waiting.
What is one theme of The Highwayman?
Love and loyalty require sacrifice.
How does the Highwayman feel about Bess?
He loves her deeply and promises to return to her.
Identify the figurative language: “The wind was a torrent of darkness.”
Metaphor.
Is The Highwayman a ballad? Why?
Yes — it tells a dramatic story in rhythmic, musical stanzas.
What line shows that the Highwayman truly loves Bess?
He calls her “my bonny sweetheart” and promises to return with gold.
How does the poem show that love can be dangerous?
The Highwayman and Bess’s relationship leads them into deadly danger.
How do the soldiers treat Bess when they enter the inn?
They tie her up, gag her, and use her as bait.
What mood is created by the description “the moon was a ghostly galleon”?
An eerie, spooky, mysterious mood.
How does the poem’s structure build suspense in Part One?
Slow description, repeated imagery, and pacing create anticipation.
Which detail reveals the soldiers’ intentions when they arrive at the inn?
They tie Bess up, gag her, and aim muskets at her to trap the Highwayman.
How does Bess’s final action help develop the poem’s theme?
Her sacrifice shows the depth and cost of true love.
How does Tim the Ostler influence the events of the poem?
His jealousy leads him to betray the Highwayman to the soldiers.
Explain the meaning of the metaphor “riding—riding—riding.”
It emphasizes urgency, movement, and tension.
How does the switch from flowing lines to sharp, short lines affect mood?
It reflects panic, fear, and chaos.
How do we know the Highwayman realizes something terrible has happened?
He hears a warning in the village, turns back, and his face is described as “white and peaked.”
How does the ending reinforce the theme of loyalty or devotion?
Both lovers die for each other, showing ultimate loyalty and devotion.
How does Bess’s decision affect the Highwayman’s fate?
She warns him, but this causes him to return, where he is shot.
How does imagery help show the danger Bess is in?
The detailed image of her tied up with muskets pointed at her shows extreme danger.
How does Part Two mirror Part One?
It repeats journeys, dangers, and imagery but ends tragically.
What evidence supports the idea that betrayal plays a major role in the story?
Tim the ostler overhears the plan and informs the soldiers.
What message does the poem suggest about sacrifice? Use evidence.
True love may require extreme sacrifice—as shown when Bess dies to protect the Highwayman.
How does the Highwayman’s reaction after Bess's death show his character traits?
He recklessly rushes back in anger and grief, showing loyalty but also impulsiveness.
How does repetition shape the tone of the poem?
It builds suspense, rhythm, and emotional intensity.
Why might the poet repeat the image of the Highwayman returning “in the winter’s night”?
To show their love outlives death—suggesting their spirits reunite.