Available Answers

1. 1.

   Mark these sentences as true (T), false (F) or does not say (DNS).

   1. The speaker thanks the gods for making his situation easy.
   2. The speaker does not show his suffering or complain about it.
   3. The events that led to this dark situation are also unfair.
   4. The speaker feels brave because he knows something good is going to happen.
   5. The speaker feels helpless and powerless in front of his destiny.
   6. The speaker gives an impression of standing straight with his head held high.
2. 2.

   Out of the night that covers me, / Black as the Pit from pole to pole

   1. Do you think 'night' here is meant literally (basic meaning of the word)
      or figuratively (with more imaginative, symbolic meaning)? Explain.
   2. What does 'from pole to pole' imply?
3. 3.

   Under the bludgeonings of chance / My head is bloody, but unbowed.

   1. What can 'chance' mean here?
   2. What does the second line mean?
4. 4.

   Beyond this place of worth and tears...

   1. In the lines that immediately follow, does the speaker mention good things that could happen 'beyond this place'?
   2. What is the speaker sure of, even if he has nothing pleasant to look forward to?
5. 5.

   It matters not... I am the caption of my soul. How does this stanza express defiance? (defiance: disobeying, challenging or opposing)

6. 6.

   Circle the correct words to complete this paragraph.

   This is an ^1.inspirational / biographical poem that can be read as a ^2.collaboration / contest between two forces. On one hand, there are fate and circumstances which present ^3.difficulties / opportunities in the speaker's way. On the other, there are the speaker's ^4.mental / physical strength and determination to not be beaten by the ^5.people / hardships. the poem begins with the ^6.rewards / challenges (first two lines), but it ends (last two lines) with a note of ^7.courage / sufferings.