Yet Do I Marvel - Poetic Structure, Mood, Tone

What is the central theme of the poem Yet Do I Marvel by Countee Cullen?

• The beauty of nature and its mysterious power

• The speaker’s frustration with life's challenges and his questioning of God's decisions

• The speaker's admiration for Greek mythology

• The joyful celebration of personal success

What literary device is used in the lines "Tantalus' torture, Sisyphus' task" in Yet Do I Marvel?

• Metaphor

• Simile

• Personification

• Allusion

In the final lines of the poem, the speaker "marvels" at the idea that God made him a poet who is also Black. What does this suggest about the speaker’s feelings?

• He is puzzled and wonders about the challenges he faces.

• He is excited about his position as a poet.

• He is proud and confident in his talents.

• He feels indifferent about being a Black poet.

Which of the following best explains the use of the sonnet form in Yet Do I Marvel?

• It highlights the simplicity of the speaker’s message.

• It connects the speaker’s reflections to a long literary tradition.

• It makes the poem easier to understand for younger readers.

• It helps the poet create a sense of sadness and frustration.

Which phrase from the poem shows the speaker’s deep inner conflict between faith and questioning?

• “I doubt not God is good, well-meaning, kind.”

• “To make a poet Black, and bid him sing!”

• “Yet do I marvel at this curious thing.”

• “Tantalus' torture, Sisyphus' task.”

Which of the following describes the mood of the poem Yet Do I Marvel?

• Joyful and uplifting

• Hopeful and optimistic

• Angry and rebellious

• Curious and thoughtful

What effect does the rhyme scheme of the poem (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG) have on its tone?

• It makes the poem sound chaotic and disorganized.

• It adds a playful feeling to the poem.

• It creates a steady rhythm that reflects the speaker’s deep thought process.

• It makes the poem sound rushed and uneasy.

How does the reference to Tantalus and Sisyphus enhance the message of the poem?

• It shows that the speaker believes in fairy tales.

• It helps explain the endless suffering and challenges the poet faces.

• It describes the enjoyment of writing poetry.

• It praises the mythological gods for their kindness.

In the poem, Cullen uses the phrase "bid him sing" to describe the poet’s task. What does this phrase suggest about the speaker’s view of his work as a poet?

• The speaker sees his poetry as something easy and enjoyable.

• The speaker feels forced to write against his will.

• The speaker values the importance of his writing, despite challenges.

• The speaker compares poetry to a physical activity like singing.

How does the poem’s structure reflect the speaker’s internal conflict?

• The first quatrain begins with certainty, while the following quatrains present doubt and confusion.

• The steady rhythm and rhyme represent the speaker’s unwavering beliefs.

• The shift from first to third person allows the speaker to step back from his struggles.

• The short lines mirror the speaker’s frustration and lack of answers.