E3 | 1.19 "Ellis Island" Bruchac

Which theme is most strongly conveyed in Ellis Island?

• The joy and excitement of arriving in a new land

• The conflicting emotions tied to immigration and displacement

• The struggle to learn a new language and culture

• The fear of being rejected at Ellis Island

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What is the significance of the phrase "the tall woman, green / as dreams of forests and meadows" in the poem?

• It represents the wealth and power of Immigrants in America

• It symbolizes the Statue of Liberty as a welcoming immigrants to a land of opportunity and life.

• It refers to the poet’s grandmother who worked in the fields.

• It suggests the harsh reality of industrial labor in the U.S.

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How does the poet use contrasting perspectives in the poem?

• By alternating between English and Slovak phrases to show linguistic barriers

• By highlighting both the immigrant experience and the Native American perspective on land ownership

• By shifting from past to present tense to emphasize historical change

• By comparing the journey of European immigrants with modern-day refugees

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What does the poet suggest about the concept of ownership in America?

• Ownership is a right granted to all who arrive

• Immigrants have always been welcomed with opportunities to own land.

• The idea of ownership is complex, as land was taken from Indigenous people.

• The American Dream guarantees land ownership to all hardworking individuals.

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How does Bruchac’s use of imagery impact the tone of the poem?

• The vivid imagery creates a celebratory and joyful tone.

• The natural imagery highlights both hope and a sense of loss.

• The harsh descriptions of labor establish an angry tone.

• The lack of imagery makes the poem feel neutral and detached.

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What is the effect of the phrase “green / as dreams of forests and meadows” in the lines below?

"a Circle Line ship slips easily
on its way to the island
of the tall woman, green
as dreams of forests and meadows"

• It creates a sense of hope and opportunity associated with immigration.

• It emphasizes the overwhelming size of the Statue of Liberty.

• It suggests that immigrants were deceived by the promise of wealth.

• It reflects the speaker’s regret about coming to America.

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How does the repetition of "lands" in the following lines contribute to the poem’s meaning?

"Another voice speaks
of native lands
within this nation.
Lands invaded
when the earth became owned."

• It reinforces the idea that America itself has a history of displacement and loss.

• It suggests that all people in America share the same immigration experience.

• It downplays the struggles of immigrants in favor of focusing on Native American history.

• It highlights the poet’s uncertainty about his own cultural identity.

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How does the phrase “yet never owned their own” in the stanza below shape the meaning of the poem?

"waiting for those who'd worked
a thousand years
yet never owned their own."

• It highlights the history of hardships and economic struggles of European immigrants.

• It suggests that immigrants were forced to work without pay in America.

• It implies that wealth was easily attainable for new arrivals.

• It contrasts immigrants with Native Americans, who always owned land

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Based on the poem, what does the speaker suggest about the American Dream?

• It is easily attainable for anyone willing to work hard.

• It is complicated by historical injustices and differing perspectives.

• It is no longer relevant to modern immigrants.

• It guarantees success for all who arrive in America.

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ow does the contrast between the poet’s immigrant ancestors and Native Americans affect the reader’s understanding of the American Dream?

"Yet only part of my blood loves that memory.
Another voice speaks
of native lands
within this nation."

• It challenges the idea that the American Dream is accessible to all by acknowledging those who were displaced.

• It emphasizes that the American Dream has always been fulfilled by those who immigrate.

• It suggests that Native Americans and immigrants shared the same opportunities.

• It argues that the American Dream is only possible for those who assimilate completely.

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