Mothers

Mothers

By Timothy Johnson

Multiple Choice

Part A: Which of the following identifies a theme of the poem?

• As children grow up, their views of their mother's evolve and change

• The most important lessons that children can learn come from mothers.

• As children grow up they will, without a doubt, grow apart from their mothers.

• Children only come to truly understand their mothers when they become parents themselves

Multiple Choice

Part B: Which section from from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

• "the last time i was home / to see my mother we kissed / exchanged pleasantries" ( Lines 1-3)

• "i remember the first time / i consciously saw her / we were living in a three room/apartment" ( Lines 7-10)

• "mommy always sat in the dark / i don't know how i knew that but she did" ( Lines 11-12)

• "her hair was three-quarters her height / which made me a strong believer in the samson myth" ( Lines 22-23)

Multiple Choice

PART A: How does the speaker's view of her mother change as she grows older?

• When she is a child she views her mother as an almost mystical being, but when she is an adult she views her more realistically.

• When she is a child she views her mother as average, but when she is an adult she views her as a larger-than-life figure.

• When she is a child she views her mother with a sense of jealousy, but when she is an adult she views her with admiration and respect.

• When she is a child she views her mother negatively, but when she is an adult she views her with more understanding.

Multiple Select

PART B: Which TWO details from the text best support the answer to Part A?

• "the last time i was home / to see my mother we kissed / exchanged pleasantries / and unpleasantries" ( Lines 1-4)

• "i remember the first time / i consciously saw her / we were living in a three room" ( Lines 7-9)

• "mommy always sat in the dark / i don't know how i knew that but she did" ( Lines 11-12)

• "i'm sure i just hung there by the door / i remember thinking: what a beautiful lady" ( Lines 25-26)

• "i taught it to my son / who recited it for her" ( Lines 36-37)