Question
Figurative Language Poem 8
The Black Land
By Joseph Warren Beach
I will plough the land,
Turning up the black soil.
I will ride upon this heaving surface
As a boat rides upon the water.
Even as a boat
Cleaving the water with an eager keel,
I have run a furrow1
Straight across the ridges.
I will sow down this field,
Scattering gems.
With both hands will I scatter
Quivering emeralds out of a bottomless pouch.
As I tread the loam2
My feet sink deep.
The black earth embraces my ankles
And clings to my bent knees.
Review Questions
I sing as I go
Scattering emeralds.
The wind sings upon my lips,
And pearls stream off my neck and forehead.
I am bathed in a sweat of pearls.
Eyes straight forward
Rest on a brightening ultimate slope.
1. A long narrow trench made in the ground by a plow,
2. Soil with equal amounts of sand, silt, and clay.
Directions: Respond to these questions to the best of your ability. Answer the questions completely. If
you need more space, use the back or a separate sheet.
1. Identify one example of simile: explain which two things are being compared.
2. Identify two examples of metaphor: explain which two things are being compared in each metaphor.
3. Identify two examples of personification: explain what is being personified and how.
4. Identify one example of hyperbole: explain what is being exaggerated.
5. What is the subject of this poem? What is this poem about? Explain your response.
6. What is the tone of this poem? How does the speaker treat the subject of the poem? Refer to text.
7. What is the mood of this poem? How does this poem make you feel? Refer to text in your response.
very very short not sounding ai
The Black Land
By Joseph Warren Beach
I will plough the land,
Turning up the black soil.
I will ride upon this heaving surface
As a boat rides upon the water.
Even as a boat
Cleaving the water with an eager keel,
I have run a furrow1
Straight across the ridges.
I will sow down this field,
Scattering gems.
With both hands will I scatter
Quivering emeralds out of a bottomless pouch.
As I tread the loam2
My feet sink deep.
The black earth embraces my ankles
And clings to my bent knees.
Review Questions
I sing as I go
Scattering emeralds.
The wind sings upon my lips,
And pearls stream off my neck and forehead.
I am bathed in a sweat of pearls.
Eyes straight forward
Rest on a brightening ultimate slope.
1. A long narrow trench made in the ground by a plow,
2. Soil with equal amounts of sand, silt, and clay.
Directions: Respond to these questions to the best of your ability. Answer the questions completely. If
you need more space, use the back or a separate sheet.
1. Identify one example of simile: explain which two things are being compared.
2. Identify two examples of metaphor: explain which two things are being compared in each metaphor.
3. Identify two examples of personification: explain what is being personified and how.
4. Identify one example of hyperbole: explain what is being exaggerated.
5. What is the subject of this poem? What is this poem about? Explain your response.
6. What is the tone of this poem? How does the speaker treat the subject of the poem? Refer to text.
7. What is the mood of this poem? How does this poem make you feel? Refer to text in your response.
very very short not sounding ai
Answers
GPT-4o mini
1. **Simile**: “As a boat rides upon the water.” This compares the act of plowing the land to a boat moving on water, emphasizing the fluidity and grace of tilling the soil.
2. **Metaphor**:
- “Scattering gems.” Here, seeds are compared to gems, highlighting their value and beauty.
- “...I am bathed in a sweat of pearls.” This compares sweat to pearls, suggesting that the speaker's hard work produces something precious and beautiful.
3. **Personification**:
- “The black earth embraces my ankles.” The earth is given the human ability to embrace, highlighting a deep connection to the land.
- “The wind sings upon my lips.” The wind is given the ability to sing, suggesting a joyful and harmonious relationship with nature.
4. **Hyperbole**: “I am bathed in a sweat of pearls.” This exaggerates the amount of sweat to amplify the intensity of the speaker's labor, making it seem precious like pearls.
5. **Subject**: The poem is about the relationship between the speaker and the land as they cultivate it. It reflects the joy and connection felt while working with nature.
6. **Tone**: The tone is joyful and reverent. The speaker treats the subject of farming with respect and admiration, as seen in lines like “I will sow down this field,” indicating pride in the work.
7. **Mood**: The mood is uplifting and celebratory. The imagery of “scattering emeralds” and being “bathed in a sweat of pearls” evokes a sense of fulfillment and joy in the hard work of farming.
2. **Metaphor**:
- “Scattering gems.” Here, seeds are compared to gems, highlighting their value and beauty.
- “...I am bathed in a sweat of pearls.” This compares sweat to pearls, suggesting that the speaker's hard work produces something precious and beautiful.
3. **Personification**:
- “The black earth embraces my ankles.” The earth is given the human ability to embrace, highlighting a deep connection to the land.
- “The wind sings upon my lips.” The wind is given the ability to sing, suggesting a joyful and harmonious relationship with nature.
4. **Hyperbole**: “I am bathed in a sweat of pearls.” This exaggerates the amount of sweat to amplify the intensity of the speaker's labor, making it seem precious like pearls.
5. **Subject**: The poem is about the relationship between the speaker and the land as they cultivate it. It reflects the joy and connection felt while working with nature.
6. **Tone**: The tone is joyful and reverent. The speaker treats the subject of farming with respect and admiration, as seen in lines like “I will sow down this field,” indicating pride in the work.
7. **Mood**: The mood is uplifting and celebratory. The imagery of “scattering emeralds” and being “bathed in a sweat of pearls” evokes a sense of fulfillment and joy in the hard work of farming.