Just like Job Flashcards
Religion
The speaker has a…
deep desire for divine love
Angelou presents a metaphorical journey…
through adversity, which faith empowers us to confront
5 Big Ideas
- When an individual questions faith, they experience distress and suffering
- Faith endures through the hardships of life
- Obedience and reliance is a part of faith
- Speaker finds joy and can over come challenges through religion
- Experiencing faith is different for everyone
“My Lord, my lord”
The repetition highlights the speaker´s urgency and anguished tone.
The frequent invocation of God´s name is a central motif in the poem -> It emphasises the significance of prayer during moments of adversities.
Lexical field of suffering: “cried”, “screams”
Dramatizes the speaker´s distress as he “searche[s] the heavens for [God]”
“My screams searched the heavens for Thee”
(look closely at the personification of “Screams”)
The metaphor portrays the speaker´s longing for divine connection.
“Screams” is personified:
(meaning that the have become an entity)
to emphatically convey the speaker´s desperate attempts in trying to obtain an answer from God in order to achieve spiritual fulfilment and understanding.
Universal message:
Highlights the intrinsic nature of human desire which is to find solace and guidance from a divine source.
“sun” and “moon”
The celestial imagery represents the speaker´s ongoing search, even though there may be bad days
“Rags and bones / were all I owned.”
The affirmative tone in the imagery illustrates how the speaker maintained his faith even though he was reduced to nothing.
“Rags and bones”
(imagery and sibilance)
Imagery : Highlight the speaker´s poverty and suffering.
Sibilance : Tiredness and exhaustion brought upon the speaker as he is constantly pleading for a response.
“were all I owned”
Short length gives a visual representation of the little amount the speaker owns.
“My life give I gladly to Thee”
Inverted syntax + Archaic language : Follows the same style as Biblical and Religious phrases. It is also a sign of respect and formality.
The adverb, “Gladly”, portrays the speaker´s…
willingness to sacrifice his life for God. This highlights the speaker´s selflessness and loyalty.
“Deep rivers ahead / High mountains above”
Familiar metaphor for adversity.
Speaker acknowledges that life will present many challenges and he embraces them willingly as he knows that his faith in God will help him prevail over the hardships in life.
“Deep” and “High”
The adjectives depict the obstacles the speaker has yet to face
Enjambment in : “Deep rivers ahead / High mountains above”
Mirrors the water flowing in the river.
This symbolises the never ending stream of challenges the speaker has to face.
“But fears gather round like wolves in the dark”
The simile, with predatorial imagery, connotes that the speaker is haunted by his fears.
“gather round”
There is no escape. He is trapped
“wolves in the dark”
Familiar fear
The adjective “dark”…
heightens the speaker´s sense of solitude and loneliness. It also references God´s absence as the speaker calls out to him.
“Wolves”
Posses menacing and threatening connotations. Speaker seeks God´s protection, and this is shown in the anaphora as he cries : “Oh, Lord”
“Have you forgotten my name?”
Speaker feels frustrated at his abandonment.
The rhetorical question produces an accusatory tone - He doesn´t feel heard.
Alludes to Jesus’ last words on the cross
Deeper implication of : “Have you forgotten my name?”
The biggest challenges we face in religion is being able to overcome the feelings of isolation. We must not question whether God has forsaken us.
“You said”
Structural parallelism portrays God´s authority in the speaker´s life
“You” (from “You said”)
The direct address portrays the speaker´s complaints.
Speaker feels distraught as he has shown and demonstrated his obedience to all of God´s commands. He also feels doubtful as he doesn´t know what more he should do to prove his loyalty to God and to earn God´s love.
However, his trust and belief is unwavering.
The series of gerunds : “leaning”, “trusting”, “calling”
Represent the speaker´s acts of faith
“leaning”
Emotional connection and physical connection / support
“trusting”
Speaker acknowledges that to earn God´s love, he must surrender to his commands.
“calling”
Intimacy of divine / spiritual communication
“I´m stepping out on Your word.”
Metaphor (+ refrain) for personal growth and transformation - As well as profound commitment and unwavering faith.
“stepping out”
Vulnerability and innocence.
The line interlaces throughout the poem and may symbolise the speaker´s attempts at reassuring himself that there is a higher power that will guide him through hardships.
D.I.: Desperately attempts to hide his doubt.
FINAL STANZA is a…
metaphorical journey of modern-day adversities.
The imagery of the city and its dangers further establishes the speaker´s everlasting faith and the safety it grants him as he ventures through life.
Similar to the biblical story, “Just like Job” ; Job faces terrible suffering and challenges to his faith. However, he maintained his belief in God.
Universal Message…The speaker is similar to Job as he remains…
completely devoted to God. This encourages readers to share the same profound religious belief.
“Into”, “And”, “Past”
The repeated prepositions produce a rhythmic cadence that resonates more with readers.
The prepositions also highlight the many distinct pathways a person might take in order to find spiritual connection.
“Past the liars and the cheaters and the gamblers”
Imagery -> New character are introduced.
Symbolises societal changes and ethical dilemmas.
Sibilance in : “Past the liars and the cheaters and the gamblers”
Characterises the city and the people as cruel. This highlights the dangers in life
The asyndetic listing in : “Past the liars and the cheaters and the gamblers”
Adds momentum and pace to the journey.
Further highlighting the extent of the challenges faced.
