Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

A level lit POETRY > Woman work > Flashcards

Woman work Flashcards

1
Q

Explores…

A

the role of women in a male dominating society

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Highlights the pressure…

A

women face in their daily routines and how the speaker desires to escape from her mundane life by finding solace in nature

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Key terms

A
  • Stereotypes
  • Overwhelmes
  • Black women´s labour
  • Freedom
  • Seeking solace in nature
  • Powerlessness
  • Culture
  • Explores the subject of slavery
  • Internal strength
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

1st stanza portrays…

A

The rough and chaotic routine the speaker has in her life

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Rigid rhyme scheme adds a…

A

musical quality to the poem. This suggests that everyday is similar and how there is very little leeway in her strict routine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

“mop”, “shop”, “dress”, “fry”

A

Imagery of domesticated routines

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Daily activities are…

A

burdens

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

CONTEXT

A

1978 - male dominating society. Women are unable to have the same opportunities as men as they are marginalised.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

The short sentences alongside the anaphora, “The”, encapsulates….

A

everything that is on the speaker´s plate and further reinforces all the tasks she must accomplish. This produces a tense atmosphere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Parallelism between lines

A

Suggests that the speaker is only reduced to these tasks. There is very little freedom in her routine and has no moment where she can invest a bit of time from her schedule for herself.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

In the first stanza, Angelou draws focus upon the woman´s “purpose” rather than her…

A

feelings

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Universal message (1st stanza)

A

A woman´s creativity and potential is destroyed the minute she becomes a mother or a housewife, as they are marginalised and restricted by societal conventions and norms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

“The cane to be cut”
“And the cotton to pick”

A

Alludes to slavery. This may suggest that women are slaves to their chores.

OR

That perhaps the speaker is a maid to someone else, which is why she resorts to nature´s comfort; unlike the speaker, nature can´t be owned.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

The strong sounding alliteration in “cane to”, “cut”, “cotton”, “pick”

(+ link to another poem)

A

Portrays the speaker´s frustration and further heightens the hard-work imposed upon the woman

“The Memory”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

The woman wants to make sure that everything has been taken care of for…

A

the family´s happiness, regardless to her acknowledgment that her hard-work won´t be praised.
Angelou sheds light upon the uncomparable effort women do

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Stanza 2

A

Embeds natural elements.
After accepting her lack of agency, the speaker seeks support and solace in nature as her suffering is beyond human intervention.

17
Q

“Shine on me sunshine”
“Rain on me, rain”

A

The assonance in the form of diphthongs emphasises the speaker desire for a change in routine. She begs nature for rest.

18
Q

“Rain on me, rain”

A

The personification of rain further symbolises the speaker´s relief in the hands of nature. “Rain” acts as the speaker´s coping mechanism as it spiritually cleanses the frustration and pain inflicted upon her from her routine.

19
Q

“Let me float across the sky”

A

The pleading tone adopted in this line is a result of her oppressive lifestyle.
Alludes to heaven

20
Q

“Let me”

A

Speaker conveys a sense of urgency as she asks for permission to rest

21
Q

“Float”

A

Pace slows down. The speaker is savouring the moments in which she is immobile.

22
Q

“´Til I can rest again.”
“And cool of my brow again”

A

Both lines are regular - Speaker is desperate
The lines also convey society´s claims over women´s bodies and energy

23
Q

Repetition of “again”

A

Nostalgia. The speaker reminisces over her past and the liberty she had

24
Q

The natural world is the only possession the speaker has and “…”

A

“Can call [her] own”

25
Q

“Cold icy kisses and / Let me rest tonight”

A

The metaphor suggests that nature is a vessel / funnel (?) for her anger and rage

26
Q

“Cold”

A

In isolation, the adjective holds negative, discomforting connotations. However,…

27
Q

“Cold icy kisses”

A

The speaker finds relief and pleasure

28
Q

Universal message

A

Society has high expectations of women

29
Q

“Star shine, moon glow”

A

The imagery encapsulates the beauty and wonder of nature

30
Q

Lexical field of brightness: “Shine”, “glow”.

A

As they are luminescent, the speaker may be suggesting that these natural qualities serve as torches for the speaker´s search for a better life

(REPHRASE)

31
Q

1st stanza (STRUCTURALLY THE LONGEST)

A

Instantly creates an unsettling and overwhelming atmosphere. Establishes the unrealistic amount of chores the speaker has to do.

32
Q

Final 4 stanzas (REGULAR IN LENGTH)

A

May represent the 4 seasons and how her work is constant and consists of the same chores through the year.

OR

How she finds brief moments of rest when thinking about nature

A level lit POETRY (23 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions