Monday, October 4: culmination of material on America by Claude McKay.

 

In class: today you are independently completing a graphic organizer on Claude McKay's America that has been chunked, so as you are able to respond to specific lines in the sonnet. There is nothing new here. We have covered the everyone of the topics within the organizer.  This is due at the close of class, unless you receive extended time.

Note: this will count as a writing grade.

Remember that the counsellors will be coming in tomorrow.

Missing an assignment? Please check the blog. Everything we cover in class is here.

America by Claude McKay

1. Although she feeds me bread of bitterness	1. What is being personified in line one and is referred to as “she”   2. Explain the metaphor “bread of bitterness” After you have answered a and b       a. what is bread supposed to be for?   b. Is “bitterness” sweet or tart? Now return to number 2.
And sinks into my throat her tiger’s tooth,	3. What does the visual imagery of a “tiger’s tooth tell us about the author’s feelings towards the city?
Stealing my breath of life, I will confess	4. Underline the word that LEAST reflects “stealing my breath of life”?    smother,  choke,  asphyxiate,  inspiring
I love this cultured hell that tests my youth.	5. Think of the setting of the sonnet. Explain “cultured hell”
5. Her vigor flows like tides into my blood,	6. vigor is power (think vigorous). Now think about what tides are like and explain the simile “like tides into my blood”
Giving me strength erect against her hate,	7. Who / what is the author accusing of hate?
Her bigness sweeps my being like a flood.     Yet, as a rebel fronts a king in state,	8. What might the author mean when speaking about “her bigness”?     9. Note the simile “like a flood”. Look back into line 5. What word indicates the power of a flood?
I stand within her walls with not a shred
10. Of terror, malice, not a word of jeer.	10. Which word best defines a.     terror:  dread   confidence   courage b.     malice:  love     contempt      amity c.      jeer:       cheer   applause       sneer
And see her might and granite wonders there	11. To what do “granite wonders” refer?
Beneath the touch of Time’s unerring hand,	12. Why do you think “Time” is capitalized?     13.  What literary device is being used here?     14. To err means to make a mistake? What does “unerring” mean”?
Like priceless treasures sinking in the sand.	15. The sonnet ends with a smile (like), comparing “priceless treasures sinking in the sand.” What is the author’s tone, which is the literary term for attitude, towards the city? Answer this in a complete sentence.