Carl Phillips reads “Effort at Speech Between Two People”

The video explores Muriel Rukeyser's poem 'Effort at Speech Between Two People', focusing on themes of communication and missed connections. It delves into personal reflections from childhood to adolescence, highlighting emotions of happiness, loneliness, and the desire for connection. The narrative reveals struggles with unrequited love and the longing for meaningful interaction amidst isolation.

What is the central theme of the poem 'Effort at Speech Between Two People'?

• The joy of childhood

• The complexity of mathematics

• The struggle for effective communication

• The beauty of nature

What childhood event does the narrator recall involving a rabbit?

• A rabbit dying in a story

• A rabbit hopping in the garden

• A rabbit being a birthday gift

• A rabbit running away

How does the narrator describe their emotional state at the age of nine?

• Calm and content

• Joyful and carefree

• Fruitily sentimental and fluid

• Angry and rebellious

What does the narrator contemplate at the age of 14?

• Running away from home

• Thoughts of suicide

• Starting a new hobby

• Dreams of becoming a musician

What does the narrator reflect on regarding their relationship with a loved one?

• The loved one's passion for sailing

• The loved one's dislike for the sea

• The loved one's fear of heights

• The loved one's love for the mountains