Good Morning Class 702,
May 6, 2020
Please join us today on Google Meet
Click on the link below on google classroom
https://meet.google.com/ude-mcez-zya
We will read and analyze the poem "Democracy", by Sarah Holbrook
Essential Question: How do people express opinions in meaningful ways?
Focus:
1.What is alliteration ? What is figurative language?
2. Vocabulary for “ Democracy” by Sara Holbrook
3. Read and analyze stanzas 1-5 of the poem for “ Democracy” by Sara Holbrook
4. Writer's perspective on democracy
Homework- Due Tomorrow May 7
Summarize the key idea of “Democracy” by Sarah Holbrook. Write the central idea and supporting details( at least 4-5 details)
Central idea and supporting details.
In “Democracy, …….
Democracy : By Sarah Holbrook
My office is government issue.
The basics, one metal desk, one chair,
a stack of folders,
four rubber stamps and loose paper in need of baling wire, or a match...
A gray office beside a multicolored room full of folks waiting on
government basics.
Thump.
Thump.
A large woman thumps, thumps.
Thumps past my office.
Thump. Thump,
down the hall to the ladies room.
Sounds of water running followed by
the swing of the squeaky door,
it slaps against the wall
oozing toward a bumpy close.
Thump. Thump.
I look up as she passes again.
Dark hallway.
Dark clothing.
Dark hands.
White toilet paper.
Thump. Thump.
I watch after her passing.
Thump. Thump.
She stole the toilet paper.
Also government issue,
two rolls per day.
Issued by
the same government that
murders mountains of forests for the
confusion of paper it takes to
purchase a pencil through
proper procurement procedures.
The same government that
offers tax abated housing to
for profit football teams and
levies income tax on where's-the-profit
unemployment compensation.
The same government that
issues food stamps for
koolaid, popsicles and tater tots
but not for toilet paper,
like it's some privilege
that poor folks don't need.
That same government issues us
two rolls per day,
93% of the days since our last 7% cut.
Two rolls.
I rub at the crow's feet which are deepening into my mother's face
and listen to her leaving.
She stole the toilet paper.
The clock silently mouths- personification
that it's just 3:05.
I wait for a moment, reluctant to go
once more against the mountain,
knowing the thin air
makes me lightheaded.
Finally I move.
"Ma'am, did you take our toilet paper?"
She looks straight ahead,
the two rolls propped on knees flung wide.
She is slow to acknowledge my presence,
slow looking up at the self-conscious stand
I have taken beside her over-filled chair.
In a glance
she reminds me that I am too tall,
too thin, too well-dressed,
and too goddamned white.
"I need it," she replies.
And that need, I know,
is not entirely selfish,
that need embraces the needs
of her children,
her grandchildren,
maybe a neighbor.
But it does not embrace the needs
of her neighbors with whom
she shares this waiting room.
"I have to ask for it back," I say,
citing the needs of the others.
Reluctant herself,
she complies.
Practically speaking,
she is a republican.
I retreat to return the basics
to the necessary place,
dizzy with
democracy.--------------------dizzy with democracy- metaphor, alliteration , and sarcasm
type of conflict in this poem-- internal conflict or external
Hughes and Sara Holbrook wan
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