Reading, Summary, and Analysis of Dunbar's "The Haunted Oak"

The video provides a reading, summary, and analysis of Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem 'The Haunted Oak.' It explores the poem's structure, themes, and historical context, highlighting the racial injustices it addresses. The analysis delves into the poem's narrative, the role of nature, and the symbolism of the oak tree. The video also discusses Dunbar's courage in writing about racial issues and the broader implications of nature in African American poetry.

What is the primary perspective from which 'The Haunted Oak' is narrated?

• The judge's perspective

• The victim's perspective

• The oak tree's perspective

• The mob's perspective

Which poetic form does Dunbar use in 'The Haunted Oak'?

• Free verse

• Ballad

• Haiku

• Sonnet

What is the rhyme scheme of 'The Haunted Oak'?

• ABBA

• ABCB

• AABB

• ABAB

In the poem, what crime is the victim accused of?

• Theft

• Murder

• Being black

• Treason

What role does nature play in 'The Haunted Oak'?

• It serves as a witness to injustice

• It actively participates in the crime

• It punishes the guilty

• It is indifferent to human actions

What does the oak tree symbolize in the poem?

• A source of comfort

• A reminder of injustice

• A place of refuge

• Strength and power

How does Dunbar convey the tree's empathy in the poem?

• By showing its inability to intervene

• By describing its physical pain

• Through its growth and renewal

• Through its dialogue with the victim

What historical event inspired 'The Haunted Oak'?

• The Civil War

• A lynching in Alabama

• The Civil Rights Movement

• The abolition of slavery

What risk did Dunbar face by writing about racial injustice?

• Loss of readership

• Legal prosecution

• Social ostracism

• Retribution from racist groups

How does African American poetry often differ from Anglo-American poetry in its depiction of nature?

• It romanticizes nature

• It views nature as a source of luxury

• It portrays nature as a reminder of violence

• It ignores nature entirely