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What is the story This Is the Rope mainly about?
It tells the story of one family’s journey from the South to the North during the Great Migration, told through the symbol of a single rope that is passed down through generations.
Who is the author of This Is the Rope?
Jacqueline Woodson.
Who illustrated the book?
James Ransome.
What does the rope first get used for in the story?
The little girl’s grandmother uses it to tie her belongings to the top of the car as the family leaves the South.
Why is the family leaving the South?
They are looking for a better life, more opportunities, and freedom from unfair laws and segregation.
What time in history is the story based on?
The Great Migration, when millions of African Americans moved from the rural South to the North between 1916 and 1970.
What does the family hope to find in the North?
Better jobs, better schools, and more equality.
What happens to the rope after the family settles in the North?
It’s used for many family activities—jump rope games, hanging laundry, and even holding up decorations.
How does the rope connect the generations?
Each generation uses the same rope in different ways, showing how family memories and love continue over time.
What does the rope symbolize in the story?
It symbolizes strength, family connection, history, hope, and the journey toward a better life.
What game does the little girl play with the rope later in the story?
She plays jump rope with her friends in the city.
How does the rope bring joy to the family?
It’s used in playful, loving, and memorable family moments, reminding them of their roots and journey.
How do the illustrations help tell the story?
James Ransome show emotion, and the changes in setting from the countryside to the city.
What does the family’s move from the South to the North show about history?
It shows how African American families worked hard to build new lives despite challenges and discrimination.
What is the main theme of This Is the Rope?
Family, perseverance, hope, and the importance of remembering your roots.
How does the rope connect to the idea of migration?
The rope travels with the family just like their memories and traditions showing that they carried their history with them.
What lesson does the story teach readers?
That family strength and love can help people overcome hardship and create a better future.
How does the author show the passage of time?
By showing the rope being used by different generations from the grandmother to the mother to the granddaughter.
What feeling do you get from the family’s story?
Pride, hope, and appreciation for family history.
What does Jacqueline Woodson explain in the Author’s Note?
She explains that the story is inspired by her own family’s experiences during the Great Migration.
What was the Great Migration?
It was a time from 1916 to 1970 when millions of African Americans moved from the South to cities in the North and West for better opportunities and to escape unfair treatment.
How does Woodson describe her family’s move?
She says her family moved from South Carolina to Brooklyn, New York, which inspired this story.
What does the author say she wants readers to remember?
That ordinary family stories like moving, growing, and working hard are part of American history.
What is the message of the rope in the Author’s Note?
The rope represents the connection between past and present.