Literature: Works + Context

Question 1

List of names which represent how the black society is looked down upon for their roles.

Answer 1

alternate name for black boys - Danez Smith

Question 2

A poem illustrating Robinson Crusoe’s return to civilization, mirroring the author’s difficult creative life as a poet.

Answer 2

Crusoe in England - Elizabeth Bishop

Question 3

A picture book depicting the life of a boy who distances himself from the aid of a tree as he eventually ages; mirroring the relationship between a parent and their child.

Answer 3

The Giving Tree - Shel Silverstein

Question 4

Spoken poetry which substitutes a ‘teacher’ for a mother to teach the importance of dedication and persistence through metaphoric language.

Answer 4

If I should have a daughter - Sarah Kay

Question 5

A poem performed using ASL (American Sign Language) to promote the rights of deaf societies.

Answer 5

Dandelions - Clayton Valli

Question 6

Work written by a fairly young autist who illustrates the daily struggles of living with perfectionism. The poem was originally written for entertainment but after it gained popularity, it helped relatives of other autistics understand their situation.

Answer 6

Life of a Perfectionist - Libby Scott

Question 7

A voice-over recorded video in which the author tells a story about how he had received a message via social media explaining that a mutual teacher had described the author as a quiet, miserable and ‘nerdy’ student. It additionally includes the topic of bullying and that bullies were simply kids who were facing their own trauma and abuse. Moreover, that their aggressive behavior was not a reflection of his value as an individual.

Answer 7

On a Middle School Misery - John Green

Question 8

A poem based on the story of Don Quixote, which holds the story of a Spanish knight who is accompanied by his squire Sancho Panza, who adds comments known as Sanchismos. These comments are a combination of broad humor, ironic Spanish proverbs and earthy wit. This is the author’s modern interpretation of Sancho Panza.

Answer 8

Goodbye, Sancho Panza - Justin Hamm

Question 9

Is a Tang dynasty poem which follows the Wu Yan Jue Shi poetry style. It has four lines and 5 words in each of them. The poet uses simple language to describe how tough it is for farmers to work in the burning sun and that we should be grateful for the food that we have on our plate.

Answer 9

Min Nong - Li Shen

Question 10

The author compares his shoes as a reflection on his life. He finds the spirit of his deceased brother and sister in them, who may have owned them before he did. It’s a reflection of him.

Answer 10

My Shoes - Charles Simic

Question 11

This author is known for his romantic poems; romantics believe that this one is the most romantic out of the 5. In this poem, the speaker is talking and looking at a Greek urn (a fancy, slim vase which was highly valued in the Ancient times). On the urn, there are very intricate designs that seem to tell a story. There seems to be a story where a woman and a man is running around together naked and a young man attempting to woo a young woman.

Answer 11

Ode on a Grecian Urn - John Keats

Question 12

This poem is talking about a Colossus which is indeed the Statue of Liberty and how it has a phrase that is engraved in the bottom of the statue. The author describes the Statue of Liberty as a ‘mighty woman with a torch”. The phrase talks about how it represents hope and peace on American shores.

Answer 12

The New Colossus - Emma Lazarus

Question 13

This short poem is about questioning octopuses, whether their tentacles are arms or legs and if the poet of an octopus he’d called himself us. It could mean that the poet sees octopuses’ tentacles as a society.

Answer 13

The Octopus - Ogden Nash

Question 14

The author was also one of the people in special area to mysteriously disappear in Baltimore. This poem is about a person one a cold-December night,thinking about his love who passed away ‘Lenore’, when he hears tapping. The second time he opens the door, he sees a raven who only says ‘nevermore’. At first he is fond of the bird, but then starts cursing at it. This poem is about sorrow, grief, death and loneliness.

Answer 14

The Raven - Edgar Allan Poe

Question 15

This poem talks about a questioner who wonders what would dare to make the Tyger look so symmetrical/ perfect. There is a “Lamb” that is mentioned in the poem that refers to the sister poem of this one with the same name. The author says that in order to fully see the person whose hand made Tyger, they must also see the hand that made ‘lamb’.

Answer 15

The Tyger - William Blake

Question 16

In it, Stafford poses a place where “the grass joined hands” despite it being a place where “no monument stands”. He comments on how this is where “the battle did not happen” or “where the unknown soldier did not die”. Yet despite all the peace that characterises this place, we humans “celebrate it by forgetting its name”. It is somewhat sad that we do not place monuments where humans have yet to unleash their destructive nature, instead we put up great structures where blood was split and humans lives sacrificed. (Avan Fata)

Answer 16

The Un-National Monument Along the Canadian Border - William Stafford

Question 17

Is a poem about marginalised groups and people telling them how to do things their own way. Such as letting the ‘invalid’ sing their heart out. Or letting their heart fly. The final stanza is inspiring as the entire village goes and sings in the sun, while those who do not have their hearts turn to dust.

Answer 17

Those who do not dance - Gabriela Mistral

Question 18

A stand-up poetry talking about asian stereotypes and how the poet is disgusted by them. He talks about how all the stereotypes is mashed into one ‘culture’ and that’s how to assimilate all asian immigrants into american culture. How asians are marginalised in america.

Answer 18

What Kind of Asian are You? - Alex Dang

Question 19

This poem is about marginalised asians, specifically Vietnamese. It also talks about how every place has been visited by a white man. It talks a lot about what white men have done to their country and how the Vietnamese were actually stuck between the two sides in the Vietnam war.

Answer 19

White Boy Time Machine: Override - Hieu Minh Nguyen

Question 20

A picture book depicting the life of a boy who distances himself from the aid of a tree as he eventually ages; mirroring the relationship between a parent and their child.

Answer 20

The Giving Tree - Shel Silverstein

Question 21

This story shows how everyday people can be just as extraordinary as those who are titled as ‘heroes’. The protagonist in question, Robin Ruttiger was a failed contestant of a superhero reality show - American Hero, before he realized he could step up to be more than a high school guidance counselor when a well-known bakery becomes a target of vandalism.

Answer 21

Fitting In - Max Gladstone

Question 22

A book in which the nameless narrator is invisible, both physically and figuratively - as others refuse to acknowledge him. Furthermore, addressing social dilemmas regarding African-Americans in the 20th century. One depiction provided by this piece may be that identity is a combination of self-perception and the impression of others.

Answer 22

Invisible Man - Ralph Ellison

Question 23

A story about the author’s brother who had recently earned a job as a lorry driver at a mine - illustrating the poor working conditions in mines.

Answer 23

Lorry Raja - Madhuri Vijay

Question 24

A book about a group of girls who were raised by wolves learning how to be human-like and civilized. This story teaches the readers a moral that one should try to never lose their compassion. It sends this message by using the girls as an example of what would happen if one loses their compassion with one another.

Answer 24

St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves - Karen Russel