"Your World" Poem

"Your World"

In the early 1900's the need for workers in Northern factories of the United States caused a mass migration of African Americans from the South. Many settled in Harlem, a neighborhood of New York City. There, writers, artists, and musicians worked to establish a proud cultural identity. The neighborhood was transformed from a deteriorating area to a thriving middle-class community. This movement was called the Harlem Renaissance.

Georgia Douglas Johnson

Born (1880 - 1966) was one of the most famous African American women writers of the early 1900's. She is associated with the Harlem Renaissance-an African American literary and cultural movement of the 1920's and 1930's. Johnson wrote four volumes of poetry as well as plays and fiction

Setting a purpose

Sometimes a poem contains a message designed to inspire. As you read, consider the poet's message and how it may inspire others to take risks.

Multiple Choice

What time period is the author Georgia Douglas Johnson associated with?

• Harlem Renaissance

• The great migration

• Literary Renaissance

• Renaissance movement

Figurative language

figurative language communicates meanings beyond the literal meanings of words. Poets often use figurative lang. to compare things, emphasize ideas, or give an emotional effect.

Multiple Choice

Which figurative language is being used - "Your world is as big as you make it"

• similie

• metaphor

• imagery

• personification

• alliteration

Multiple Choice

"My wings pressing close to my side" is what type of figurative language?

• simile

• metaphor

• imagery

• personification

• alliteration

Multiple Choice

"I throbbed with a burning desire" is what type of figurative language?

• similie

• metaphor

• imagery

• personification

• alliteration

Multiple Choice

"I battered the cordons around me" is what type of figurative language?

• similie

• metaphor

• imagery

• personification

• alliteration

Multiple Choice

"Narrowest nest" is what type of figurative language?

• similie

• metaphor

• imagery

• personification

• alliteration

Extended metaphor

One type of figurative language is extended metaphor. An extended metaphor compares two essentially unlike things at some length and in several ways.

Your World reread lines 1-4

Reread -The first few lines of the poem 1-4. They introduce an extended metaphor that unifies the entire poem.

Your world is as big as you make it

I know, for I used to abide

In the narrowest nest in a corner

My wings pressing close to my side

Multiple Choice

The line "in the narrowest nest" is a clue to an extended metaphor. The poet may be using the word "nest" as a metaphor for what?

• The speaker's car

• The speaker's pain

• The speaker's home

• The speaker's life

Imagery

Another type of figurative language is imagery - the use of words and phrases that convey how things look, feel, smell, sound, and taste. Reread lines 5-8 aloud

But I sighted the distant horizon

Where the sky-line encircled the sea

And I throbbed with a burning desire

To travel this immensity

Multiple Choice

What imagery might the lines "sighted the distant horizon

Where the sky-line encircled the sea" be creating

• Visual

• Taste

• Smell

• Sound

Multiple Choice

What visual do the lines "sighted the distant horizon

Where the sky-line encircled the sea" create?

• image of the point where the sky meets the sea

• image of a beautiful day

• image of sadness

• image of a blue sky-line

Multiple Choice

These words are included to appeal to which senses "sky-line, encirceld sea,

• sight

• taste

• touch

• smell

Multiple Choice

The word "throbbed" appeals to which sense?

• sight

• touch

• taste

• smell

Multiple Choice

The words "burning desire" appeals to which sense?

• sight

• touch

• taste

• smell

Open Ended

Cordons mean= lines or borders stretched around an area, indicating that access is restricted. What does the speaker mean when she says "I battered the cordons around me"? Answer using RACE. The question is 5 points

Multiple Choice

Using extended metaphor, what comparison does the poet make between herself and something else?

• a small house

• a trapped bird

• a battered person

• freedom

Open Ended

Drawing conclusions: A poem's theme is a message about life or human nature that the poet shares with the reader. What is the theme of "Your World"? Answer using RACE. The question is worth 5 points