Close Read: Analyze Craft and Structure

Question

Identify the choice that best answers the question.

Which statement presents a main way in which “Hanging Fire” and “Translating Grandfather’s House” are similar in theme?

A. Both poems focus on the absence of a caring mother.
B. Both poems focus on the frustrations of a teenager's life.
C. Both poems focus on the fears that people have about the future.
D. Both poems focus on the difference between imagination and reality.

Answer 1

To analyze the themes of "Hanging Fire" and "Translating Grandfather’s House," it's important to consider the subjects of each poem.

• "Hanging Fire" by Audre Lorde presents the inner thoughts and feelings of a teenager grappling with insecurity, the struggles of adolescence, and the challenges of growing up, while also touching on the absence of support, particularly from a parent figure.
• "Translating Grandfather’s House" by a different author typically examines cultural identity and the significance of family heritage, often reflecting on experiences tied to family life and how these experiences shape one's identity.

Considering these analyses, the best answer among the given options is:

B. Both poems focus on the frustrations of a teenager's life.

This choice encompasses the emotional struggles of adolescence present in both works, even though the contexts and specific issues may differ.