Tone
Which words or phrases in lines 1-5 help to develop a possessive tone?
My daughter - as if I owned her
What punctuation mark can replace a comma, a colon, a semicolon, or even parentheses in sentences?
the DASH -
What does the possessive form of a noun or pronoun show?
ownership
What is the figurative meaning of "Each strand now cuts / both ways" (6-7)?
C. The daughter's growing independence can hurt both mother & daughter.
How many stanzas does this poem have?
6
What is the definition / meaning of "tone"?
The narrator's attitude towards or treatment of the subject
In lines 1-2, what do the dashes do?
behave as parentheses, setting apart additional (bonus) information
What two meanings does the title have?
possessive forms of "my" and "her" used throughout; reflects the mother's possessive feelings about her daughter
What is the purpose of the long space at the beginning of line 10?
B. It emphasizes the growing distance between mother & daughter.
What is a "stanza" in poetry?
a block of lines
Which words or phrases in the poem develop a sense of an impending battle between mother and daughter?
helmet (15); watch fires of an enemy, a while before the war starts (19-20)
Throughout the poem, what possessive pronouns are used?
my & her
What is the theme of the poem?
A. When children start to become independent, parents can feel wounded (cut).
Lines 2-3 are an example of what type of figurative language? (simile, metaphor, hyperbole...)
Simile: "as a frayed bellpull"
Why did the author choose NOT to use rhyme in this poem?
Rhyming requires coordination & connection between lines and words - the fact that this poem does not rhyme actually underscores the disconnect & contrary natures of the mother & daughter
What words and phrases does the author use to show the mother feels personally hurt, offended, maybe even angered, by the daughter's action (haircut)?
*any word or phrase related to knives, cutting
Why does the author use a dash between lines 13-14?
To emphasize "My body"
Which lines from the poem best express the idea that the relationship between parents & children can change?
D. My body, My daughter. I'll have to find / another word (lines 14-15).
Find a simile in the third stanza.
Line 9 "like carbon steel"
Exact rhymes rhyme exactly as in "fin" and "pin". Eye rhymes look like they SHOULD rhyme but do not: "knew" & "sew". Slant rhymes sort of rhyme but not exactly as in "man" & "in" or "bud" & "nut".
Why does the author choose "resin" to describe the "light of her eyes" (line 18)?
To reveal a smoldering, underlying fire of emotion, a battle about to ensue between mother & daughter, the danger of an explosion at any moment
What other way could you punctuate line 4?
Replace the commas with dashes to set apart the added information
What is the significance of / meaning of the title?
C. It alludes to the speaker's possessive language in the poem & her possessive feelings toward her daughter
"In her bright helmet" is an example of what type of Figurative language device? (simile, metaphor, hyperbole...)
It's a metaphor comparing her hair to a helmet without using "like" or "as"
Do fathers and sons go through similar relationship changes? Explain & support your thoughts.
*well developed & supported answers accepted at teacher discretion