american lit poetry discussion questions

Where can we see an example of alliteration? (November's Cotton Flower)

"...Significance. Superstition Saw Something..."

Write the rhyme scheme of the poem out in a line. (From the Dark Tower)

ABBAABBACCDDEE

What is the cotton flower supposed to represent? (November's Cotton Flower)

Beauty, joy, and hope in a time of sadness.

In the second stanza, how does Cullen emphasize the theme of beauty and pride in the black culture? (From the Dark Tower)

By comparing people of color to a dark night sky, which is no less lovely than the white stars within it.

What is Hughes hoping people will be ashamed of? (I,Too)

Hughes wants people to be ashamed of racism and excluding others.

Why does the speaker laugh? (I,Too)

It's possible the speaker laughs because they know better than to be brought down by what others say. They are proud for who they are, and has hope for the future.

How might the 11th verse of the poem be taken literally and metaphorically? (The Tropics of New York)

Literally - in the first stanza of the poem, the author talks about all the good food in nature and how pretty it was so it could mean that he is actually "hungry" Metaphorically - it could represent how he is longing to go back to his home in Jamaica

Does the speaker of the poem seem to enjoy the task given to them? Which repeated line tells you this? (I Sit and Sew)

No, they do not like the task given to them because they are unable to help what is going on around them. "But I must sit and sew," is the repeated line that tells me that the speaker does not enjoy it.

What kind of symbolism is being used in this poem? What message is Cullen trying to send? (From the Dark Tower)

People are being symbolized by plants to show how people react to different environments, as well as to show where effort may be required for some by society where others are rewarded for no work.

What is some positive things the author has to say? What are some negative things? (Sonnet to a Negro in Harlem)

She points out that some people in Harlem are magnificent, your perfect bodies, and I love your laughter. Some negative things is saying basically you know everything, your rude, and that you're too good for the city.

In your own words, describe the story going on in this poem? (The Tropics of New York)

Someone (the author) is looking out at the city of New York, and they are thinking back in the past about how full of nature the city was before it became so industrialized. After thinking for too long, they become overwhelmed and begin to cry for New York.

What startled the old folks? Was it a good thing or a bad thing? (November's Cotton Flower)

The beauty of the flower, and the fact that it bloomed in November. It was not a bad thing. They were in awe of the beauty of it.

Who is supposed to be planting? Who is supposed to be reaping? (From the Dark Tower)

The black community is planting and the whites are reaping due to nothing other than the color of their skin and the prejudices they face.

What is the meaning behind the metaphor made in the third verse? (November's Cotton Flower)

The cotton was just as scarce or not common as the snow that comes during the winter in the South.

What is the shift in mood with this poem? How does the author make this shift happen? (November's Cotton Flower)

The shift is when he starts describing the flower and its beauty. He went from using dull and melancholy words to using words that described the joy that the flower caused.

What kinds of people might the "speaker" be representing? Why might it be important that it isn't specifically said? (I,Too)

The speaker could be representing African Americans. It's important that it isn't specifically said, because it shows that most people understand the situation for African Americans, but could also leave it open for other ethnicities in America.

How does the author feel about war and fighting? (I Sit and Sew)

The speaker does not like war and cries for the people that are involved in the war.

Why is the speaker being sent to the kitchen? (I,Too)

The speaker is sent to the kitchen because African Americans were not seen as equal and would be considered weird and rude to allow an African American at the dinner table when company is over.

What sort of pattern do you notice about the stanzas and how might they relate to the setting of the story? (The Tropics of New York)

The stanzas start off very happy and talking about good things, then he talks about places and how pretty they are, lastly it talks about how the author wants to go back to how things used to be and go back to the beauty. Things get more sad. Chronological order

Does the speaker in the poem seem to feel patriotic? How do you know? (I,Too)

They are proud to be an American. For example, starting the poem with "I, too, sing American" and ending the poem with "I, too, am American".

Why would the author contradict themselves by both complimenting and insulting the person being spoken to? Does the author seem to like or dislike the addressee? (Sonnet to a Negro in Harlem)

To show her thoughts and experiences that she went through.

Who is the author speaking to? (Sonnet to a Negro in Harlem)

What she hears on the streets is running through her thoughts

Explain the verses "Small wonder that you are so incompetent / To imitate those who you so despise". Is the author saying this in spite or in sarcasm? How do you know? (Sonnet to a Negro in Harlem)

Yes, because of the tone.

How might this relate to other aspects of the author's life? Does it mean more than just battle? (I Sit and Sew)

Yes, it is more than just a battle because it is a push for women's rights especially African American women living in a world in which they can not do things that the men around them can.

What is she comparing mankind to? What reasoning might she have for it? (Common Dust)

dust. dust is everywhere but even though dust may be all around, it still is the same.

What groups of people does Johnson seem to be targeting? (Common Dust)

everyone who discriminates other people

How does repetition help Johnson establish her ideas? (Common Dust)

it emphasizes her idea of how all people are defined by a label. and everyone who discriminates is the same.

What do you interpret the lines "Here lies the one unlabeled; The world at large his home!" (Common Dust)

there is one group of people who are different. they are not defined by a label (newborns, etc)