Reading questions 8
After reading James Joyce’s “Araby” answer the following questions in complete, grammatical sentences.
1. In “Araby,” the narrator begins describing the setting, the time and place, of the story. The setting is North Richmond Street, the street near the Christian Brothers’ School, which is described as “blind.” Considering what happens to the young boy in the story, in what sense might the street be blind? (hint: consider the conflict between religion and passion)
2. Towards the end of “Araby,” the young boy has an epiphany, a sudden insight or realization. At the end of the story, the narrator says, “Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger.” Considering the plot of the story, what does this mean? In what sense is the young boy a “creature driven and derided by vanity”? (hint: consider what the young boy expects is going to happen when he goes to the market)
Reading questions 9
After reading James Joyce “The Dead,” answer the following questions in complete, grammatical sentences.
1. In “The Dead,” the story is told of the Misses Morkan’s annual dance. The protagonist, or the main character, of the story is Gabriel Conroy, who is a professor and book reviewer. The story is set when Ireland was seeking independence from Great Britain, and this is revealed in Gabriel’s struggles. In the beginning of the story, the narrator says, “The indelicate clacking of the men’s heels and the shuffling of their soles reminded him that their grade of culture differed from his. He would only make himself ridiculous by quoting poetry to them which they would not understand. They would think he was airing his superior education.” What does this mean? In what sense is Gabriel not of their “grade of culture”?
2. Towards the end of the story, Gabriel has an argument with Miss Ivors. What is the nature of the argument? Why is Gabriel upset?
Reading questions 10
After reading T.S Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” answer the following questions in complete, grammatical sentences.
1. In “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” the speaker of the poem, J. Alfred Prufrock, is a man who is paralyzed by indecision. Where in the poem do you see Prufrock’s indecision? Identify at least three parts.
2. What happens to Prufrock in the end of the poem?
Reading questions 14
After reading Philip Larkin’s “This Be The Verse,” answer the following questions in complete, grammatical sentences.
1. In “This Be The Verse,” the speaker of the poem reflects on how parents harm their children. What is the tone of the speaker? In other words, what is their attitude towards parents?
2. What does the speaker believe we should do so we don’t continue the cycle of violence (“Man hands on misery to man”)?
Reading questions 15
After reading Derek Walcott’s “Love After Love,” answer the following questions in complete, grammatical sentences.
1. The speaker of “Love After Love” imagines he is meeting an alienated version of himself. Why has the speaker become a stranger to himself? What caused this? (hint: consider the title of the poem)
2. What does the speaker believe is the best way to no longer be a stranger to yourself? (hint: consider the last line of the poem: “Sit. Feast on your life.”)
