Home-Gwendolyn Brooks

 Select two ways the themes of “Homes provide physical and emotional security for families” and “Being a house owner is a sign of certain social standing” are similarly developed. (R.1.2)

• by using repetition to signal changes in the plot

• by using dialogue to distinguish the narrative point of view

• by using allusions to reveal plot events leading to the climax

• by using rhetorical questions to hint at events that will occur later in the timeline

• by using figurative language to emphasize the characters’ perception and experiences.

What does “the home” symbolize in the text? (R.3.1)

• it symbolizes perseverance and shame

• it symbolizes isolation and desperation

• it symbolizes country living and expensive rent

• it symbolizes familiarity and family togetherness.

Select an example of the author’s use of a metaphor within the text. (R.3.1)

• “Those shafts and pools of light…” (Paragraph 1)

• “Her eyes were lamps turned on.” (Paragraph 21)

• The rain would drum with as sweet a dullness nowhere but here. (Paragraph 9)

• Those flats, as the girls and Mama knew well, were burdens on wages twice the size of Papa’s. (Paragraph 3)

“The graceful iron, might soon be viewed passively by different eyes.” (Paragraph 1)

How does the author’s use of personification in paragraph 1 support the overall appeal in the text? (R.3.4)

• it appeals to landscapers, by including descriptions of the scenery around the home

• it appeals to the credibility of the author, by showing how knowledgeable she is in masonry work used to accentuate the outsides of a house

• it appeals to the emotions of her audience, by using emotionally charged language to describe the feelings associated with losing one’s home

• it appeals to the logic of the reader, by demonstrating the most logical conclusion that could be drawn regarding a change in homeowners

“that’s what you always say – that God knows best.”

How does the author use a biblical allusion to God to advance the appeal to the reader's emotions? (R.3.4)

• to emphasize how spiritually connected the family was with God

• to illustrate the morality of the daughters and the mother when faced with a dilemma

• to show how having a strong faith could resolve a common problem dealing with home ownership

• to draw on the emotions of a reader who may have come close to losing valuable belongings and relied on their own or their families spiritual belief for support

“They’re much prettier than this old house,” said Helen. “I have friends I’d just as soon not bring here. And I have other friends that wouldn’t come down this far for anything, unless they were in a taxi.” (Paragraph 4)

“I think,” said Helen, rocking rapidly, “I think I’ll give a party. I haven’t given a party since I was eleven. I’d like some of my friends to just casually see that we’re homeowners.” (Paragraph 24)

What is the significance of this verbal irony? (R.3.4)

• It shows Helen’s genuine concern for her friends.

• It reveals Helen’s true reasoning for really wanting to move.

• It reveals Helen’s and her friends' opinions about the home.

• It shows Helen’s ability to quickly side with mama by saying things to support her position.

“Well, I do know,” said Mama, turning her hands over and over, “that I’ve been getting tireder and tireder of doing that firing. From October to April, there’s firing to be done.”

  What does the word firing mean as it is used within the sentence? (V.1.3)

• the dismissal of an employee from a job

• the discharging of a gun or other weapon

• the baking or drying of pottery or bricks in a kiln

• to supply (a furnace, engine, boiler, or power station) with fuel

“They could not tell a thing from the way Papa was walking. It was that same dear little staccato walk, one shoulder down, then the other, then repeat, and repeat.”

  What does the word staccato mean as it is used within the sentence? (V.1.3)

• sharply detached

• humorous manner

• depressing behavior

• lacking rhythmic pattern

 In paragraph 9 of the text, how does the narrator develop the perspective of Maud? (R.1.3)

• by showing how Maud thinks using dialogue between her and mama

• by describing things Maud have experienced using a flashback to account for her actions

• by explaining how Maud feels about the setting of the home using figurative language to describe it

• by illustrating Maud’s reaction to possibly moving to the flats in South Park or Michigan or Washington Park Court

 How does the author develop the perspectives of Maud Martha and Helen in the text? (R.1.3)

• through their thoughts about each other

• through their feelings about the terms of the loan

• through their dialogue about Papas purpose in life

• through their actions in firing from October to April