Dreaming Black Boy

All of the following are considered themes in the poem EXCEPT

Adult-child relationships

The Klu-Klux Klan

The effects of the past on the present

Racial prejudice

The title of the poem is "Dreaming Black Boy" because:

The boy had fallen asleep and was dreaming about the injustices done to him

The boy was expressing his hopes and aspirations even though it seemed futile

The boy was dreaming to make life better for all little boys

The boy was dreaming and he was black - a negro

The persona was experiencing problems because:

His teacher would not acknowledge him

Paul Robeson was not speaking on his behalf

He was uneducated and poor

He was black

Among his wishes the persona listed: (i) recognition (ii) education and money (iii) self confidence and motivation (iv) freedom from all forms of prejudice and oppression

(i), (iii) and (iv)

(i), (ii) and (iv)

(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)

(i), (ii) and (iii)

What literary device is used in lines 6 and 7?

Metaphor

Personification

Simile

Alliteration

The device used in lines 6 and 7 shows:

The boy's poverty

The persona's pride and ambition

The disparity between the life of his parents and himself

The occupation of his ancestors

One phrase below reinforces the main theme of the poem

"I wish ..."

"I could ..."

"I can ..."

"I myself ..."

Which of the following lines below points to the fact that the boy feels 'invisible'?

"I wish my teacher ..." (lines 1-2)

"I wish he'd know ..." (lines 2-4)

"I wish torch throwers ..." (lines 22-23)

"I wish nobody would ..." (lines 30-31

The persona does not want to be treated as if he were 'dropped from Mars'. The statement suggests that:

He was being treated with disdain

He was being treated like an alien

People treated him with dislike

Martians had diferent colours so they are treated like the boy

The overall meaning of the poem suggests that:

The boy was dreaming in vain

The boy was tired of racial discrimination and wanted changes

The boy knew nobody could help him to change the situation so he just continued dreaming

The boy was a champion of his race who said 'I have a dream'

The most prominent device used in the poem is:

Simile

Repetition

Alliteratio

Hyperbole

Which of the following lines best identifies this device?

Line 1

Line 21

Line 26

Line 31

Which of the following images is the most demeaning and degrading?

"I wish I could be educated"

"I am no woodchopper now"

"Sink to lick boots"

"Go on every crisscross way of the globe"

In the last line of the poem, what is "the terrible burden" to which the persona refers?

His skin colour

The 'big big lot' he carries on his head

Being scared

Being poor

The word 'suffer' is repeated in the last stanza. How does this reflect the title of the poem?

The black boy suffers from nightmares

Being black is synonymous with fear, suffering and exploitation

Black men/boys are always dreaming of becoming rich

Suffering always makes a person dream of a better life

The mood of the poem can be best described as one of:

Hopelessness and despair

Anticipation and joy

Aspiration and ambition

Ridicule and hopefulness

Write a paragraph in which you identify ONE theme of the poem. Support your choice by discussing TWO references from the poem. (6 marks)

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