Page 45 - SpringBoard_CloseReading_Workshop_Grade7_Flipbook

Close Reading of poetry (continued)
key ideas and deTails
What effect does the repetition of “laughing” have on the tone of the poem?
20
Building, breaking, rebuilding,
Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth, laughing with white teeth
Under the terrible burden of destiny laughing as a young man laughs, Laughing even as an ignorant fighter laughs who has never lost a battle,
Bragging and laughing that under his wrist is the pulse, and under his ribs the heart of the people,
Laughing!
Laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of Youth, half-naked, sweating, proud to be Hog Butcher, Tool Maker, Stacker of
Wheat, Player with Railroads and Freight Handler to the Nation.
Check your Understanding
1. Questioning the Text: Using the Key Ideas and Details questions as models, ask
questions about the poem. Try to begin your questions with the words why, or how, so your questions get at meaning rather than facts. You do not necessarily need to know the answer to the question, but you should think the answer might be important to understanding the meaning of the passage.
2. This poem uses personification by giving the city of Chicago human qualities and abilities. Use the first column of the graphic organizer below to find textual evidence of how the poet uses personification. In the second column, analyze the connotations suggested by these words and images, and interpret what they suggest about the city.
44
SpringBoard® English Language Arts Grade 7
Textual Evidence (Line Number)
Connotation and Interpretation
© 2014 College Board. All rights reserved.