Reader Response Criticism

Which TWO of the following best identify the themes of the text?

• Acceptance

• Religion

• Social pressure

• Prejudice

• Slavery

PART A: As used in line 5, what does the word “scornful” suggest about how Wheatley felt others regarded her race?

• Distaste

• Confidence

• Acceptance

• Envy

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

• “Taught my benighted soul to understand” (Line 2)

• “Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.” (Line 4)

• “‘Their colour is a diabolic die.’” (Line 6)

• “May be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train.” (Line 8)

Who wrote "On Being Brought from Africa to America"?

• Amanda Gorman

• Maya Angelou

• Phillis Wheatley

• Helene Johnson

Which words from the poem have a positive connotation about America? (choose 3)

• mercy

• Pagan

• Saviour

• redemption

• diabolic

Read line 6 of "On Being Brought from Africa to America".

"Their colour is a diabolic die."

The poet uses alliteration in the phrase diabolic die to emphasize that ________.

• she prays for justice

• she is haunted by the devil

• Africans died at the hands of slaveholders

• Africans experienced disrespect because of their skin color

In lines 7-8 of "On Being Brought from Africa to America",

Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain,

May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train.

the speaker suggests that religion is--

• unavailable to pagans

• accessible to all who seek it

• unavailable to those who scorn others

• available only to those who pray fervently

Some view our sable race with scornful eye,

What does this line say about the author's life in "On Being Brought from Africa to America"?

• She grew up feeling proud.

• She was born to be free.

• She felt judged because of the color of her skin.

• She must stop criticizing others.

What is a theme of the poem "The New Colossus"?

• Immigrants come to America mainly for safety concerns.

• America values welcoming immigrants with open arms.

• Immigrants forget their old customs when they come to America.

• People who immigrate to new countries must work hard and have strong resilience.

How does the author develop the theme over the course of the poem?

• by beginning the poem with a calm tone and ending it with an angry tone

• by describing the statue from a physical and then emotional viewpoint

• by giving examples of how people treat one another in different countries

• by providing reasons why living in America is better than living in other countrie