10 Questions
What is the central idea of the poem, according to the text?
The ultimate test of courage is death.
What does the phrase 'Little ways' refer to in the poem?
Showing courage in small, everyday ways throughout life.
What does the image of 'bargaining with the calendar' suggest?
The pressure of limited time and uncertainty about the future.
Why is death compared to a guest arriving 'through the back door'?
To suggest that death comes unexpectedly and unannounced.
What does the image of the speaker putting on 'carpet slippers' symbolize?
The speaker's acceptance and comfort with their life.
What does the phrase 'stride out' suggest about the speaker's attitude towards death?
That the speaker leaves life with confidence.
How does the poet portray courage in the poem?
As a necessary quality for overcoming challenges throughout life, culminating in the ultimate test of death.
What is the meaning of the word 'awesome' in the given sentence?
Causing a feeling of great admiration or inspiring awe.
What is the opposite of the word 'awesome' in this context?
Awful or atrocious.
What does the word 'designed' mean in the given sentence?
Certain to meet a particular fate.
Study Notes
Courage by Anne Sexton
- The poem explores the concept of courage in different stages of life, from childhood to old age.
- The first stanza describes the early years of life, where courage is seen in small acts like taking the first step or riding a bike for the first time.
- The simile "as awesome as an earthquake" emphasizes the significance of these small acts.
- The poem also touches on bullying and alienation, with the phrase "you drank their acid" suggesting the harm caused by others' words.
Teenage Years
- The second stanza refers to the teenage years, where courage is needed to face bullying and negative comments.
- The phrase "you did not fondle the weakness inside you" suggests that one learns to suppress their emotions and vulnerabilities.
Young Adulthood
- The third stanza describes the challenges faced in young adulthood, particularly in war.
- The metaphor "your courage was a small coal that you kept swallowing" suggests that courage is a internal, suppressed quality.
- The phrase "died in doing so" refers to the sacrifice made by others to protect their fellow soldiers.
Middle Age and Old Age
- The fourth stanza describes the challenges faced in middle age, including loss and disappointment.
- The poem suggests that courage is needed to overcome these challenges and find strength in oneself.
- The final stanza describes the natural conclusion of life, where courage is needed to face death.
- The phrase "little ways" refers back to the beginning of the poem, emphasizing that courage is shown in small acts throughout life.
Vocabulary
- Awesome: causing a feeling of great admiration, extremely impressive or daunting; inspiring awe.
- Designed: certain to meet a particular fate.
Test your understanding of Anne Sexton's poem 'Courage' and grammar concepts like gerunds. This quiz is designed for 9th graders and covers literature and vocabulary from the specified term. Improve your literature analysis and language skills with this quiz.
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