The Speaker In Harlem Contemplates

Read this line from "Harlem."

Or does it explode?

Read this line from "The Weary Blues."

Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.

What sense do both of these lines rely on?
the sense of touch
the sense of hearing
the sense of sight
the sense of smell

the sense of hearing

Which lines from "The Weary Blues" suggest that the speaker is impressed by the musician?
Down on Lenox Avenue the other night
By the dull pale pallor of an old gas light
With his ebony hands on each ivory key
He made that poor piano moan with melody.
In a deep voice with a melancholy tone
Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.

With his ebony hands on each ivory key
He made that poor piano moan with melody.

In what way are the lines of "The Weary Blues" similar to the lyrics of a blues song?
The poem uses repetition to create meaning.
The poem uses a standard rhyme scheme.
The poem does not use figurative language.
The poem does not offer insight into emotions.

The poem uses repetition to create meaning.

The speaker's role in "Harlem" is to
criticize oppression.
encourage nonviolent protests.
inspire new discoveries.
portray artistic images.

criticize oppression.

The speaker in "Harlem" contemplates
the outcome of people's hatred.
the fate of aspirations that are unrealized.
the result of heavy labor in extreme conditions.
the consequences of childhood neglect.

the fate of aspirations that are unrealized.

What is one difference in the themes of "Harlem" and "The Weary Blues"?
"Harlem" shows curiosity, while "The Weary Blues" conveys facts.
"Harlem" shows joy, while "The Weary Blues" conveys disappointment.
"Harlem" conveys sorrow, while "The Weary Blues" shows happiness.
"Harlem" conveys resentment, while "The Weary Blues" shows expression.

"Harlem" conveys resentment, while "The Weary Blues" shows expression.

Read the excerpt from "The Weary Blues."

He made that poor piano moan with melody.
O Blues!
Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool
He played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool.
Sweet Blues!
Coming from a black man's soul.
O Blues!

The phrases "O Blues!" and "Sweet Blues!" are examples of
alliteration.
repetition.
hyperbole.
simile.

repetition.

Read the excerpt from "The Weary Blues."

Ain't got nobody in all this world,
Ain't got nobody but ma self.
I's gwine to quit ma frownin'
And put ma troubles on the shelf.

What is the effect of repeating the phrase "ain't got nobody" in the poem?
It emphasizes the theme of sorrow and melancholy in the poem.
It illustrates the singer's reluctance to perform the blues.
It shows the singer's desire to connect to other musicians.
It personifies the singer's thoughts and emotions.

It emphasizes the theme of sorrow and melancholy in the poem.

Read the poem "If We Must Die" by Claude McKay.

If we must die—let it not be like hogs
Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,
While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,
Making their mock at our accursed lot.
If we must die—oh, let us nobly die,
So that our precious blood may not be shed
In vain; then even the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!

Oh, Kinsmen! We must meet the common foe;
Though far outnumbered, let us still be brave,
And for their thousand blows deal one death-blow!
What though before us lies the open grave?
Like men we'll face the murderous, cowardly pack,
Pressed to the wall, dying, but—fighting back!

Which best describes the speaker in this poem?
a manager who designs and carries out war plans
an officer who teaches soldiers how to win wars
an activist who persuades politicians to end a war
a motivator who encourages readers to fight oppression

a motivator who encourages readers to fight oppression

Read the excerpt from "Harlem."

Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over-
like a syrupy sweet?

Read the excerpt from "The Weary Blues."

Droning a drowsy syncopated tune
Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon

In both poems, Hughes uses the imagery to
establish tone.
offer background information.
convey a criticism.
conjure pleasant memories.

establish tone.