The Highwayman/How I Learned English

The Highwayman/How I Learned English

By Paula Rein

Literary Analysis: Comparing Narrative Poems

Narrative poetry combines elements of fiction and poetry to tell a story. Like short stories, narrative poetry usually includes characters, setting, plot, conflict, and point of view. Like other poems, narrative poetry uses sound devices, such as rhythm and rhyme, to bring out the musical qualities of the language. It also uses figurative language to create memorable images, or word pictures.

Narrative poetry is well suited to a wide range of stories. For example, narrative poems may tell romantic tales about knights and ladies, heroic deeds, amazing events, or larger-than-life characters. In contrast, the form may be used to relate everyday stories about ordinary people.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

Who overhears the conversation between the highwayman and Bess?

• Tim the ostler

• the landlord

• the redcoats

• the narrator

Multiple Choice

What is the highwayman planning to do when he asks Bess to wait for him?

• take part in a riding contest

• commit a robbery

• exchange some possessions for gold

• fight the redcoats

Multiple Choice

What is suspenseful about “The Highwayman”?

• knowing that the redcoats are waiting to capture the highwayman

• knowing that Bess does not realize that Tim the ostler loves her

• knowing that Bess has plaited a red love knot into her long hair

• knowing that the redcoats have not said anything to the landlord

Multiple Choice

The opening of “The Highwayman” states, “The moon was a ghostly galleon

tossed upon cloudy skies.” What does that statement suggest about the atmosphere, or mood, of the poem?

• It will be humorous.

• It will be sad.

• It will be dramatic.

• It will be jolly.

Multiple Choice

In what way is the setting of “How I Learned English” important to the subject

of the poem?

• The all-American setting contrasts with the narrator’s foreignness.

• The ballpark setting helps create great tension.

• The Pennsylvania setting emphasizes the theme of liberty.

• The schoolyard setting suggests that the narrator has a lot to learn.

Multiple Choice

Where does “How I Learned English” take place?

• in an empty lot

• in a city park

• in a stadium

• in a backyard

Multiple Choice

Why does the narrator of “How I Learned English” call his head his shin?

• He is confused because he has been hit in the head.

• He is trying to get the other boys to laugh.

• Shin means “head” in his native language.

• He does not know much English.

Multiple Choice

In what way is “How I Learned English” different from “The Highwayman”?

• It does not rhyme.

• It is not funny.

• There is no conflict.

• The characters are not named.

Multiple Choice

Which two kinds of literature are narrative poems like?

• biographies and essays

• narrative essays and stories

• other poems and lyrics

• short stories and other poems

Multiple Choice

Why might a torrent be dangerous?

• People could starve because of it.

• People could drown because of it.

• People could be electrocuted by it.

• People could be burned by it.

Multiple Choice

What is most likely true of people who strive?

• They get what they want.

• They are exceedingly lazy.

• They have a lot of friends.

• They are exceedingly poor.

Multiple Choice

What is a transfixed deer doing?

• waiting

• looking around

• listening

• standing still