Read the poem.

Question

The Lesson

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Paul Laurence Dunbar was a renowned poet, novelist, and playwright during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He was one of the first African American writers to earn national prominence for his meaningful representations of what life was like for Black Americans living during this time.

My cot was down by a cypress grove,

And I sat by my window the whole night long,

And heard well up from the deep dark wood

A mocking-bird's passionate song.

And I thought of myself so sad and lone,

And my life's cold winter that knew no spring;

Of my mind so weary and sick and wild,

Of my heart too sad to sing.

But e'en as I listened the mock-bird's song,

A thought stole into my saddened heart,

And I said, "I can cheer some other soul

By a carol's simple art."

For oft from the darkness of hearts and lives

Come songs that brim with joy and light,

As out of the gloom of the cypress grove

The mocking-bird sings at night.

So I sang a lay for a brother's ear

In a strain to soothe his bleeding heart,

And he smiled at the sound of my voice and lyre,

Though mine was a feeble art.

But at his smile I smiled in turn,

And into my soul there came a ray:

In trying to soothe another's woes

Mine own had passed away.

Question 1
Part A

How does Dunbar’s word choice affect the tone of the poem?

Responses

He develops a troubled tone by describing ways he and those around him suffer.

He develops a troubled tone by describing ways he and those around him suffer.

He sets a tone of relief by explaining how he finds solace in spending time in nature.

He sets a tone of relief by explaining how he finds solace in spending time in nature.

He creates an encouraged tone by describing how he found joy in helping others.

He creates an encouraged tone by describing how he found joy in helping others.

He suggests a tone of resignation by accepting the futility of seeking relief from his sadness.

He suggests a tone of resignation by accepting the futility of seeking relief from his sadness.
Question 2
Part B

Which lines from the poem best support the answer to Part A?

Responses

"And I thought of myself so sad and lone, / And my life's cold winter that knew no spring;"

"And I thought of myself so sad and lone, / And my life's cold winter that knew no spring;"

"My cot was down by a cypress grove, / And I sat by my window the whole night long,"

"My cot was down by a cypress grove, / And I sat by my window the whole night long,"

"In trying to soothe another's woes / Mine own had passed away."
"In trying to soothe another's woes / Mine own had passed away."

"Of my mind so weary and sick and wild, / Of my heart too sad to sing."

Answer 1

Question 1, Part A

The best response is: He creates an encouraged tone by describing how he found joy in helping others.

This choice highlights the positive shift in tone that occurs as the speaker transitions from feeling sad and lonely to finding purpose and joy in uplifting another person's spirits.

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Question 2, Part B

The lines that best support the answer to Part A are: "In trying to soothe another's woes / Mine own had passed away."

These lines exemplify the moment of transformation and illustrate how helping others alleviates his own sadness, aligning with the encouraged tone of the poem.