Question
open this door in my chest
and butterflies will escape
a brilliant and shimmering cloud of them
rushing out and stirring the air
with their flower petal wings
they’ve been waiting for so long
inside the cage of my ribs
they are ready to take flight
1. In line 1, the speaker refers to a door in her chest. In line 7, she refers to “the cage of my ribs.” What idea is the speaker expressing when she talks about her body this way? (Think about the purpose of a cage.)
2. Note the words and phrases the poet uses in the second stanza to describe the butterflies: “brilliant,” “shimmering,” “rushing out,” and “stirring the air.” What feelings or images do these words and phrases create?
3. The poet describes the butterflies as having “flower petal wings.” What does this metaphor tell you about the butterflies’ wings?
©2025 BY SCHOLASTIC INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PERMISSION GRANTED TO TEACHERS AND SUBSCRIBERS TO MAKE COPIES OF THIS FILE TO DISTRIBUTE TO STUDENTS. SCHOLASTIC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY EDITS TO THESE MATERIALS MADE BY EDUCATORS OR THEIR STUDENTS.
PAGE 1 OF 2
Featured Skill: Poetry Analysis
POEM: “Emergence”
May 2025
4. What are some words or phrases in the poem that help develop a sense of urgency—that contribute to the idea that the butterflies have been yearning to escape and are eager and excited to be set free?
5. What do you think the butterflies are a symbol of?
6. Why might the poet have chosen the title “Emergence” for this poem?
and butterflies will escape
a brilliant and shimmering cloud of them
rushing out and stirring the air
with their flower petal wings
they’ve been waiting for so long
inside the cage of my ribs
they are ready to take flight
1. In line 1, the speaker refers to a door in her chest. In line 7, she refers to “the cage of my ribs.” What idea is the speaker expressing when she talks about her body this way? (Think about the purpose of a cage.)
2. Note the words and phrases the poet uses in the second stanza to describe the butterflies: “brilliant,” “shimmering,” “rushing out,” and “stirring the air.” What feelings or images do these words and phrases create?
3. The poet describes the butterflies as having “flower petal wings.” What does this metaphor tell you about the butterflies’ wings?
©2025 BY SCHOLASTIC INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PERMISSION GRANTED TO TEACHERS AND SUBSCRIBERS TO MAKE COPIES OF THIS FILE TO DISTRIBUTE TO STUDENTS. SCHOLASTIC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY EDITS TO THESE MATERIALS MADE BY EDUCATORS OR THEIR STUDENTS.
PAGE 1 OF 2
Featured Skill: Poetry Analysis
POEM: “Emergence”
May 2025
4. What are some words or phrases in the poem that help develop a sense of urgency—that contribute to the idea that the butterflies have been yearning to escape and are eager and excited to be set free?
5. What do you think the butterflies are a symbol of?
6. Why might the poet have chosen the title “Emergence” for this poem?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Certainly! Here are answers to the questions based on the poem “Emergence”:
1. **Idea Expressed by the Speaker**: By referring to her body as having a "door" and a "cage," the speaker conveys a sense of confinement or emotional suppression. The "door" suggests a potential for release, while the "cage" represents the limitations and struggles she experiences within herself. This imagery indicates that there are feelings, thoughts, or aspects of her identity that have been held in, unable to freely express or be seen, symbolizing an internal struggle for self-discovery or freedom.
2. **Feelings and Images Created**: The words "brilliant," "shimmering," "rushing out," and "stirring the air" evoke feelings of excitement, vibrancy, and vitality. They suggest a sense of joy and exuberance associated with freedom and transformation. These phrases create an image of an enthusiastic and lively release, painting the butterflies' escape as a beautiful and dynamic experience, full of energy and life.
3. **Meaning of the Metaphor**: The metaphor of the butterflies having "flower petal wings" suggests that their wings are delicate, beautiful, and possibly suggestive of their connection to nature. It implies a gentle beauty and fragility, emphasizing the idea that these butterflies embody something precious and serene. This could indicate that what the butterflies represent—perhaps the speaker's hopes, dreams, or true self—is both lovely and should be treated with care.
4. **Words/Phrases Indicating Urgency**: Phrases like "rushing out" and "they are ready to take flight" create a sense of urgency, reflecting the butterflies' long wait for freedom and their eagerness to break free from confinement. This language conveys an intense desire for release and emphasizes the anticipation and excitement of finally being able to escape.
5. **Symbolism of the Butterflies**: The butterflies likely symbolize the speaker's desires, dreams, emotions, or aspects of her identity that have been suppressed. They may represent a journey of self-acceptance, transformation, or the longing for freedom to express oneself fully. The butterflies can also signify growth and change, emerging from a period of being held back to embrace life's possibilities.
6. **Significance of the Title "Emergence"**: The title "Emergence" is fitting as it encapsulates the theme of breaking free and coming into one’s own. It signifies the act of coming out of confinement, suggesting growth, change, and the celebration of newfound freedom. This title reflects the overall journey of the speaker as she releases her inner self and allows her authentic emotions to be expressed.
1. **Idea Expressed by the Speaker**: By referring to her body as having a "door" and a "cage," the speaker conveys a sense of confinement or emotional suppression. The "door" suggests a potential for release, while the "cage" represents the limitations and struggles she experiences within herself. This imagery indicates that there are feelings, thoughts, or aspects of her identity that have been held in, unable to freely express or be seen, symbolizing an internal struggle for self-discovery or freedom.
2. **Feelings and Images Created**: The words "brilliant," "shimmering," "rushing out," and "stirring the air" evoke feelings of excitement, vibrancy, and vitality. They suggest a sense of joy and exuberance associated with freedom and transformation. These phrases create an image of an enthusiastic and lively release, painting the butterflies' escape as a beautiful and dynamic experience, full of energy and life.
3. **Meaning of the Metaphor**: The metaphor of the butterflies having "flower petal wings" suggests that their wings are delicate, beautiful, and possibly suggestive of their connection to nature. It implies a gentle beauty and fragility, emphasizing the idea that these butterflies embody something precious and serene. This could indicate that what the butterflies represent—perhaps the speaker's hopes, dreams, or true self—is both lovely and should be treated with care.
4. **Words/Phrases Indicating Urgency**: Phrases like "rushing out" and "they are ready to take flight" create a sense of urgency, reflecting the butterflies' long wait for freedom and their eagerness to break free from confinement. This language conveys an intense desire for release and emphasizes the anticipation and excitement of finally being able to escape.
5. **Symbolism of the Butterflies**: The butterflies likely symbolize the speaker's desires, dreams, emotions, or aspects of her identity that have been suppressed. They may represent a journey of self-acceptance, transformation, or the longing for freedom to express oneself fully. The butterflies can also signify growth and change, emerging from a period of being held back to embrace life's possibilities.
6. **Significance of the Title "Emergence"**: The title "Emergence" is fitting as it encapsulates the theme of breaking free and coming into one’s own. It signifies the act of coming out of confinement, suggesting growth, change, and the celebration of newfound freedom. This title reflects the overall journey of the speaker as she releases her inner self and allows her authentic emotions to be expressed.