M3U3 Lesson 4: “David’s Old Soul"

“But now that our family has / dwindled to just Mom and us kids, I’ve grown / into a man.”

What is the meaning of dwindled as it is used in this excerpt?

• Dealt

• Driven

• Decreased

• Deepened

What has helped David understand what it means to have an “old soul”?

• Discovering his true name

• Moving away from home

• Becoming frustrated with his mother

• Having to take responsibility for his siblings

How does the line Grimes borrows from “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” relate to the ideas of this poem?

• By comparing David to historical figures

• By showing David discovering a troubling secret

• By showing how difficult times can give us deep strength

• By showing how people often take a long time to discover who they are

“So I stand strong like / a tree my baby brothers can lean on. I try to be the / raft that helps carry them over this life’s rough rivers.”

What is the effect of David comparing himself to a “tree” and a “raft”?

• It shows that he helps others.

• It shows how difficult life can be.

• It shows how he feels used by others.

• It shows how he would like to escape.

Part A

What is a theme in the poem?

• Listening to your elders is important.

• Taking care of yourself should come first.

• The most difficult problems are sometimes invisible.

• Being mature means learning to help and care for others.

How does the author develop this theme?

• By describing the speaker finding his strength

• By showing the speaker’s anger at his situation

• By showing the speaker turning away from difficulty

• By describing the speaker’s confusion at his situation

How does “David’s Old Soul” expand upon the themes in “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”?

• The poem “David’s Old Soul” takes the idea of finding his soul and applies it to a personal situation. The speaker in “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” was showing the rich history and strength of black people.

• The poem “David’s Old Soul” takes the idea of finding strength in the past and applies it to a personal situation. The speaker in “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” was showing the rich history and strength of black people. In “David’s Old Soul,” the speaker finds strength “deep” within himself to help others.

• The poem “David’s Old Soul” takes the idea of finding hope in the past. The speaker in “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” was showing the rich future. In “David’s Old Soul,” the speaker finds strength “deep” within himself to help others.

• The poem “David’s Old Soul” takes the idea of finding your history and applies it to a personal situation. The speaker in “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” was showing struggle. In “David’s Old Soul,” the speaker finds strength “deep” within himself to help others.