"A Prayer to the Pacific" and "Bilingual/Bilingue"

What is the significance of the "four round stones" mentioned in the poem A Prayer to the Pacific?

• They represent the ocean's power and influence.

• They symbolize the speaker’s connection to the earth and the ocean.

• They are offerings to the sea creatures in the ocean.

• They serve as a reminder of the speaker’s journey across the land.

In A Prayer to the Pacific, what is the meaning of the phrase "I return to you turquoise the red coral you sent us"?

• The speaker is giving back something valuable to the ocean.

• The speaker is describing the beauty of the ocean.

• The speaker is speaking about a traditional gift exchange between cultures.

• The speaker is recounting a myth about the ocean’s creation.

How does the line "Big as the myth of origin" contribute to the tone of the poem A Prayer to the Pacific?

• It shows the speaker's awe and reverence for the Ocean.

• It creates a calm and serene mood.

• It describes the size of the Ocean.

• It reveals the speaker is probably a child.

In A Prayer to the Pacific, what does the reference to "Indians came riding across the ocean" suggest about the relationship between the ocean and Native American culture?

• The ocean is seen as a barrier to migration.

• The ocean is an ancient and spiritual force that has shaped history.

• Native Americans view the ocean as a threat to their way of life.

• Native Americans believe they originated from the ocean.

In A Prayer to the Pacific, the speaker mentions "Grandfather Turtle rolled in the sand four times / and disappeared / swimming into the sun." What is the symbolic meaning of this image?

• It represents the cyclical nature of life and death.

• It illustrates the power of the ocean to destroy.

• It reflects the speaker’s journey across the land and sea.

• It suggests that the turtle is a guide for travelers.

In the poem, Bilingual/Bilingue the speaker’s father prefers to keep English and Spanish “separate.” What does this suggest about his attitude toward language?

• He believes that knowing multiple languages is confusing.

• He wants to preserve the cultural separation between his heritage and the new language.

• He values one language over the other.

• He does not understand the importance of language in shaping identity.

What is the significance of the line “words might cut in two his daughter’s heart” in Bilingual/Bilingue?

• It suggests the speaker’s heart will become stronger with both languages.

• It reflects the conflict between the speaker’s cultural heritage and her desire to fit in.

• It conveys the father’s belief that bilingualism will confuse his daughter.

• It shows the father’s fear of the daughter losing her connection to the family.

In the poem, Bilingual/Bilingue, what does the phrase “I hoarded secret syllables I read” suggest about the speaker’s relationship with language?

• She felt a sense of rebellion toward her father’s rules.

• She wanted to keep her knowledge of Spanish hidden from others.

• She was eager to learn English but knew it would upset her father.

• She felt a deep connection to her father’s language and used it to hide her emotions.

How does the speaker’s description of her father standing “outside mis versos, half in fear / of words he loved but wanted not to hear” contribute to the overall theme of the poem Bilingual/Bilingue?

• It emphasizes the father’s pride in his daughter’s accomplishments despite his fears.

• It highlights the emotional distance between the speaker and her father.

• It shows that the father is ashamed of his own language.

• It suggests that the speaker’s use of Spanish creates a barrier between them.

What is the effect of the alternating use of English and Spanish throughout the poem Bilingual/Bilingue?

• It shows the speaker’s discomfort with speaking both languages.

• It reflects the blending of two cultures and the speaker’s experience as bilingual.

• It highlights the division between the speaker and her father.

• It shows that the speaker values one language over the other.