Read the excerpt from "Harlem."

Question

Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over-
like a syrupy sweet?

Read the excerpt from "The Weary Blues."

Droning a drowsy syncopated tune
Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon

In both poems, Hughes uses the imagery to
establish tone.
offer background information.
convey a criticism.
conjure pleasant memories.

Read the excerpt from "The Weary Blues."

Ain't got nobody in all this world,
Ain't got nobody but ma self.
I’s gwine to quit ma frownin'
And put ma troubles on the shelf.

What is the effect of repeating the phrase “ain't got nobody” in the poem?
It emphasizes the theme of sorrow and melancholy in the poem.
It illustrates the singer's reluctance to perform the blues.
It shows the singer's desire to connect to other musicians.
It personifies the singer's thoughts and emotions.

Which lines from "The Weary Blues" suggest that the speaker is impressed by the musician?
Down on Lenox Avenue the other night
By the dull pale pallor of an old gas light
With his ebony hands on each ivory key
He made that poor piano moan with melody.
In a deep voice with a melancholy tone
Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.

Read the excerpt from "The Weary Blues."

He made that poor piano moan with melody.
O Blues!
Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool
He played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool.
Sweet Blues!
Coming from a black man's soul.
O Blues!
In a deep song voice with a melancholy tone
I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan—
"Ain't got nobody in all this world,
Ain't got nobody but ma self.
I’s gwine to quit ma frownin'
And put ma troubles on the shelf."

What is the effect of repeating the phrase “piano moan” in the poem?
It sets a sad, mournful tone.
It adds a cheerful, melodic chord.
It adds an open, musical sound.
It sets an angry, discordant tone.

Read the descriptions of rhyme schemes below.

Free verse: poetry that does not use a consistent rhyme scheme
Iambic pentameter: a poetic rhyme scheme in which each rhyming line has ten syllables
Blank verse: poetry that uses unrhymed iambic pentameter
Rhyming couplets: a series of two consecutive lines that rhyme in a poem

Based on the descriptions, what rhyme scheme does the poem "Harlem" use?
free verse
iambic pentameter
blank verse
couplets

Answer 1

Based on the descriptions and the excerpts provided, here are the correct responses to each question:

1. In both poems, Hughes uses the imagery to:

   • establish tone.

2. What is the effect of repeating the phrase “ain't got nobody” in the poem?

   • It emphasizes the theme of sorrow and melancholy in the poem.

3. Which lines from "The Weary Blues" suggest that the speaker is impressed by the musician?

   • He made that poor piano moan with melody.

4. What is the effect of repeating the phrase “piano moan” in the poem?

   • It sets a sad, mournful tone.

5. Based on the descriptions, what rhyme scheme does the poem "Harlem" use?

   • free verse.

These responses reflect an understanding of the themes and literary techniques used within Langston Hughes's poetry.

Answer 2

Read the poem “If We Must Die” by Claude McKay.

If we must die—let it not be like hogs
Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,
While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,
Making their mock at our accursed lot.
If we must die—oh, let us nobly die,
So that our precious blood may not be shed
In vain; then even the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!

Oh, Kinsmen! We must meet the common foe;
Though far outnumbered, let us still be brave,
And for their thousand blows deal one death-blow!
What though before us lies the open grave?
Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack,
Pressed to the wall, dying, but—fighting back!

Which best describes the speaker in this poem?
a manager who designs and carries out war plans
an officer who teaches soldiers how to win wars
an activist who persuades politicians to end a war
a motivator who encourages readers to fight oppression

Read this line from "Harlem."

Or does it explode?

Read this line from "The Weary Blues."

Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.

What sense do both of these lines rely on?
the sense of touch
the sense of hearing
the sense of sight
the sense of smell

In what way are the lines of "The Weary Blues" similar to the lyrics of a blues song?
The poem uses repetition to create meaning.
The poem uses a standard rhyme scheme.
The poem does not use figurative language.
The poem does not offer insight into emotions.

What effect does Hughes achieve by repeating the phrase "does it" in "Harlem"?
Short words and hard consonants create a sense of angry uncertainty.
Short words and questions demonstrate Hughes's confidence.
The repetition creates a sense of peace and serenity for the reader.
The repetition highlights Hughes’s feelings of self-respect.

What is one difference in the themes of "Harlem" and "The Weary Blues"?
“Harlem” shows curiosity, while “The Weary Blues” conveys facts.
“Harlem” shows joy, while “The Weary Blues” conveys disappointment.
“Harlem” conveys sorrow, while “The Weary Blues” shows happiness.
“Harlem” conveys resentment, while “The Weary Blues” shows expression.

Answer 3

Here are the answers based on the analysis of the poems "If We Must Die" by Claude McKay, "Harlem," and "The Weary Blues":

1. Which best describes the speaker in this poem?

   • a motivator who encourages readers to fight oppression.

2. What sense do both of these lines rely on?

   • the sense of hearing.

3. In what way are the lines of "The Weary Blues" similar to the lyrics of a blues song?

   • The poem uses repetition to create meaning.

4. What effect does Hughes achieve by repeating the phrase "does it" in "Harlem"?

   • Short words and hard consonants create a sense of angry uncertainty.

5. What is one difference in the themes of "Harlem" and "The Weary Blues"?

   • “Harlem” conveys resentment, while “The Weary Blues” shows expression.

These answers reflect an understanding of the themes, literary techniques, and emotional nuances present in the poetry of Claude McKay and Langston Hughes.

Answer 4

Use what you have learned about the time period, Richard Wright, and autobiographies to make a prediction about what you will encounter in Black Boy.

Black Boy will present history from the perspectives of many different people.

Black Boy will contain personal stories about Wright’s life and experiences.

Black Boy will avoid social and cultural complexities.

Black Boy will present a third-person narration of Wright’s life.

Answer 5

Based on what is known about Richard Wright and his work, the most accurate prediction about what you will encounter in "Black Boy" is:

Black Boy will contain personal stories about Wright’s life and experiences.

This matches the nature of autobiographies, as "Black Boy" is a personal account of Wright's childhood and young adult experiences in the racially charged environment of the American South. The book delves into his struggles with poverty, racism, and his journey towards becoming a writer.

Answer 6

I heard long, angrily whispered conversations between my mother and grandmother to the effect that “that woman ought to be killed for breaking up a home.” What irked me was the ceaseless talk and no action.

—Black Boy, Richard Wright

What does the phrase “that woman ought to be killed for breaking up a home” reveal about the society and culture?

✔ a belief in the importance of family
What is Wright’s purpose for including the anecdote?

to reinforce the idea that even as a child he thought that change required action

to explain the violence he experienced as a child in an unsupportive home

to suggest that he was part of a new generation that could see problems

to portray a universal cultural experience from his childhood

Answer 7

The phrase “that woman ought to be killed for breaking up a home” reveals about the society and culture:

✔ a belief in the importance of family

This highlights the strong societal values placed on family structure and the extreme reactions that can arise when that structure is perceived to be threatened.

As for Wright’s purpose for including the anecdote, the most fitting answer is:

to reinforce the idea that even as a child he thought that change required action

This suggests that Wright felt a sense of frustration with passive discussions about problems, indicating an awareness that merely talking about issues is not sufficient for enacting change.