Tell All the Truth but Tell It Slant

Complete the following statement in your own words.

Words are called ghosts that haunt us because _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

• they trouble our mind for a long time.

• they are invisible.

• we cannot fight them or overcome them.

Select the meaning out of the ones given below that best explains the line ‘pierce and stick inside’ in Stanza II.

Slant and curved the word swords fall

To pierce and stick inside me.

Bats and bricks may ache through bones

But words can mortify me.

• The impact of bitter words is deep and long lasting.

• Swords injure sharply.

• The wound caused by a sword doesn’t heal up.

Words have been called ‘swords’ in Stanza II(2). Why?

Slant and curved the word swords fall

To pierce and stick inside me.

Bats and bricks may ache through bones

But words can mortify me.

Which objects mentioned in the poem can cause physical injury?

Sticks and stones may break my bones

But words can also hurt me.

Stones and sticks break only skin

While words are ghosts that haunt me.

Slant and curved the word swords fall

To pierce and stick inside me.

Bats and bricks may ache through bones

But words can mortify me.

• The objects that can cause physical injury are bricks and bats.

• The objects that can cause physical injury are sticks and stones.

• The objects that can cause physical injury are sticks and stones, bricks and bats.

Sticks and stones may break my bones

But words can also hurt me.

Stones and sticks break only skin

While words are ghosts that haunt me.

What have “words” in the poem been compared with?

• The words in the poem have been compared with haunt.

• The words in the poem have been compared with ghosts.

• The words in the poem have been compared with hurt.

Words have been called ‘swords’ in Stanza II(2). Why?

Slant and curved the word swords fall

To pierce and stick inside me.

Bats and bricks may ache through bones

But words can mortify me.

• Words have been called swords because they are slant and curved.

• Words have been called swords because they are like bats and bricks.

• Words have been called swords because they are sharp and hurt people.

Why do words hurt more than weapons?

State the theme or central idea of the poem in 50-60 words.