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Solved Worksheet 1
AIN'T I A WOMAN? by Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth (original name Isabella) was an African American evangelist, abolitionist, women’s rights activist and author who lived a miserable life as a slave, serving several masters throughout New York before escaping to freedom in 1826. After gaining her freedom, Truth became a Christian and, at what she believed was God’s urging, preached about abolitionism and equal rights for all, highlighted in her stirring “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech, delivered at a women’s convention in Ohio in 1851. She continued her crusade for the rest of her life, earning an audience with President Abraham Lincoln and becoming one of the world’s best-known human rights crusaders.
Delivered 1851 at the Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio
1. Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that ‘twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?
2. That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?
3. Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?
4. Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.
5. If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them. Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say.
Answer the following questions based on the paragraph above.
1. Sojourner Truth says, ‘that man over there’ in para 1 whom is she referring to?
She refers to White men.
2. Truth also says “Then that little man in black there” in para 4 whom is she referring to?
She refers to men of her own black race.
3. What is the perspective of Sojourner Truth in her speech?
Truth is taking a stand for women's rights. Her perspective is that women are as strong and capable as men, so they should have the same rights.
4. What was the purpose of this speech?
Truth was trying to persuade people that women, black or white, should be treated as equal to men. They should have rights just like men.
5. Pick out a word in para 1 that means an illegal business or way of life.
Racket
6. Pick out a word in para 1 which means disharmony or imbalance.
Kilter.
7. What impact did Truth have?
She refers to White men.
2. Truth also says “Then that little man in black there” in para 4 whom is she referring to?
She refers to men of her own black race.
3. What is the perspective of Sojourner Truth in her speech?
Truth is taking a stand for women's rights. Her perspective is that women are as strong and capable as men, so they should have the same rights.
4. What was the purpose of this speech?
Truth was trying to persuade people that women, black or white, should be treated as equal to men. They should have rights just like men.
5. Pick out a word in para 1 that means an illegal business or way of life.
Racket
6. Pick out a word in para 1 which means disharmony or imbalance.
Kilter.
7. What impact did Truth have?
Former slave, Sojourner Truth became an outspoken advocate for abolition, temperance, and civil and women's rights in the nineteenth century. Her Civil War work earned her an invitation to meet President Abraham Lincoln in 1864.
8. As for intellect, all I can say is, if woman have a pint and man a quart—why can’t she have her little pint full? (para 3)- explain.
Men are not giving rights to women because they fear that women will take too much and overwhelm them but she promises that woman will not take anything more than what they require.
In this first stanza Duffy uses alliteration. I think this is to symbolize the “cuteness” associated with these items traditionally used as valentines’ gifts.
2. Why does the poet give an onion? what does the onion symbolize?(stanza 2)
The narrator tells their partner that they are giving them an onion and then continues to describe onion by comparing it to the moon rapped in brown paper. This in itself is an interesting metaphor as the moon is considered as a symbol of beauty and of femininity but it’s covered in brown paper, which is used for wrapping presents but you certainly wouldn’t associate it with wrapping for a valentines present. “it promises light” suggests that the onion is somehow a metaphor for love itself, the metaphor continues as the narrator talks about the careful undressing of love. This makes one think about how carefully you have to peel the skin from an onion to avoid tears.
3. Why does the poet say “it will blind you with tears like a lover”? What will blind you with tears? Is it a reference to the onion or love itself?
Onion is a metaphor to love. But then the next line, which is abrupt makes it seem like the narrator was talking about the onion all along. Here things start to take a slightly eerie turn as the narrator states “It will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief.” What is this referencing? Love or the onion? The poet strongly advocates that the nature of love means that it can be destructive if not properly tended to.(wobbling here refers to instability of mind)
4. Why does the poet say ‘I am trying to be truthful’?
I think this line stands in for stanza 3 to highlight the importance of being truthful in love.
5. Why does the poet say ‘Not a cute card or a kissogram’?
“Cute card” is the second example of alliteration in this poem. Again this line stands in isolation to highlight the importance of dismissing these materialistic things.
6. Explain the tone in stanza 6.
8. As for intellect, all I can say is, if woman have a pint and man a quart—why can’t she have her little pint full? (para 3)- explain.
Men are not giving rights to women because they fear that women will take too much and overwhelm them but she promises that woman will not take anything more than what they require.
VALENTINE by Carol Ann Duffy
Carol Ann Duffy, in full Dame Carol Ann Duffy, (born December 23, 1955 Scotland), British poet whose well-known and well-liked poetry engaged such topics as gender and oppression, expressing them in familiar, conversational language that made her work accessible to a variety of readers. In 2009–19 she served as the first woman poet laureate of Great Britain.
Not a red rose or a satin heart.
I give you an onion.
It is a moon wrapped in brown paper.
It promises light
like the careful undressing of love.
Here.
It will blind you with tears
like a lover.
It will make your reflection
a wobbling photo of grief.
I am trying to be truthful.
Not a cute card or a kissogram.
I give you an onion.
Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips,
possessive and faithful
as we are,
for as long as we are.
Take it.
Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring,
if you like.
Lethal.
Its scent will cling to your fingers,
cling to your knife.
Answer the following questions based on the poem above.
1. Why does the poet say not a red rose or a satin heart? (stanza 1) In this first stanza Duffy uses alliteration. I think this is to symbolize the “cuteness” associated with these items traditionally used as valentines’ gifts.
2. Why does the poet give an onion? what does the onion symbolize?(stanza 2)
The narrator tells their partner that they are giving them an onion and then continues to describe onion by comparing it to the moon rapped in brown paper. This in itself is an interesting metaphor as the moon is considered as a symbol of beauty and of femininity but it’s covered in brown paper, which is used for wrapping presents but you certainly wouldn’t associate it with wrapping for a valentines present. “it promises light” suggests that the onion is somehow a metaphor for love itself, the metaphor continues as the narrator talks about the careful undressing of love. This makes one think about how carefully you have to peel the skin from an onion to avoid tears.
3. Why does the poet say “it will blind you with tears like a lover”? What will blind you with tears? Is it a reference to the onion or love itself?
Onion is a metaphor to love. But then the next line, which is abrupt makes it seem like the narrator was talking about the onion all along. Here things start to take a slightly eerie turn as the narrator states “It will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief.” What is this referencing? Love or the onion? The poet strongly advocates that the nature of love means that it can be destructive if not properly tended to.(wobbling here refers to instability of mind)
4. Why does the poet say ‘I am trying to be truthful’?
I think this line stands in for stanza 3 to highlight the importance of being truthful in love.
5. Why does the poet say ‘Not a cute card or a kissogram’?
“Cute card” is the second example of alliteration in this poem. Again this line stands in isolation to highlight the importance of dismissing these materialistic things.
6. Explain the tone in stanza 6.
I give you an onion.
Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips,
possessive and faithful
as we are,
for as long as we are.
This stanza is full of confidence. The narrator is not to be doubted here. The narrator talks of its “fierce kiss” and how it is “possessive” It is suggesting that, like the onion, love can be “fierce” and not to be taken casually. There are comparisons and paradoxes here. The fierce kiss is oxymoron. The words “possessive and faithful” are used, to show the highs and lows of being in love. The last two lines are almost like wedding vows. Finally she is trying to say that that real love is enduring.
7. Why does the platinum loop shrink into a wedding ring? Why does the poet uses the words Lethal and knife?
Take it.
Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring,
if you like.
Lethal.
Its scent will cling to your fingers,
cling to your knife.
Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips,
possessive and faithful
as we are,
for as long as we are.
This stanza is full of confidence. The narrator is not to be doubted here. The narrator talks of its “fierce kiss” and how it is “possessive” It is suggesting that, like the onion, love can be “fierce” and not to be taken casually. There are comparisons and paradoxes here. The fierce kiss is oxymoron. The words “possessive and faithful” are used, to show the highs and lows of being in love. The last two lines are almost like wedding vows. Finally she is trying to say that that real love is enduring.
7. Why does the platinum loop shrink into a wedding ring? Why does the poet uses the words Lethal and knife?
Take it.
Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring,
if you like.
Lethal.
Its scent will cling to your fingers,
cling to your knife.
Duffy’s choice of language and image suggests that the intensity of the lovers may well be too much for the relationship, forcing an ending, ‘lethal’. Think about the last line, ‘cling to your knife’, this image suggests one partner cutting the relationship and therefore ending it. The words “you like” refers to the partner in marriage, she means to say that even if a woman is faithful in love her partner can break the relationship if he wants to.
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