Old Ironsides by Oliver Wendell Holmes

Looking at the poem as a whole, what human quality does "Old Ironsides" seem to represent for the speaker?

• Patriotism

• Danger

• Spirit

• Strength

• Courage

Why do you think the writer used the image of "Old Ironsides" as an eagle?

I. The ship seemed to fly through battle, like an eagle , impervious to harm.

II. The eagle is a symbol of the American nation.

III. Eagles are often associated with freedom and heroism.

• I only

• II only

• III only

• I and II

• II and III

How does the speaker appeal to Americans' love of country?

• Through the use of a particular meter

• Through the use of emotional language

• Through the use of heroic images

• By reminding the reader of battles

• Through the use of diction

Which of the following lines is NOT an image Holmes uses to evoke the battles fought by "Old Ironsides"?

• "Her decks, once red with heroes' blood,/Where knelt the vanquished foe" ( lines 9-10)

• "And burst the cannons roar--/The meteor of the ocean air/Shall sweep the clouds no more." ( lines 6-9)

• "The harpies of the shore shall pluck/The eagles of the sea!"

• "And many an eye has danced to see/That banner in the sky;/Beneath it rung the battle shout" ( lines 3-5)

• "No more shall feel the victor's tread, /Or know the conquered

  knee---" ( lines 13-14)

Line 15 "The harpies of the shore shall pluck" contains a good example of

• an analogy

• a classical allusion

• an extended metaphor

• personification

• a simile

Which of the following is not an accurate description of the tone of this poem?

• Chiding

• Passionate

• Eloquent

• Rousing

• Stirring

"Many an eye has danced" (line 3) is an example of Holmes's use of

• personification

• vivid detail

• hyperbole

• simile

• metonymy