"Sestina" by Elizabeth Bishop
In this poem, Bishop tells her own story. Her father died when she was a child and her mother never recovered from a nervous breakdown. Bishop had to live with older relatives for many many years.
In the poem, the grandma feels sadness because of the whole situation and because of the innocence of the child but she hides her sadness by laughing and talking to the child.
<em>"reading the jokes from the almanac, </em>
<em>laughing and talking to hide her tears."</em>
<em>-Sestina </em>
Why does the grandmother laugh and talk?
A. to entertain the almanac
B. to hide her tears
C. to entertain the child to make the time pass
Answer:
<u>(av)</u> We are selling two cars. <u>(pv)</u> Two cars are being sold by us.
<u>(av)</u> We have sold two cars. <u>(pv)</u> Two cars have been sold by us.
<span>d) She appreciates the veil because of
its ability to hide the truth of her rebellious nature from society.</span>
According to Siham, she appreciates the
veil and thinks that so do other girls (if they are just honest) because it
covers their sinful acts, their “faults and scandals.” Under the veil, she is
free to enjoy her life apart from judging eyes. The veil keeps her true self
and feelings from being known. Thus, she looks at the unveiled women with pity
and disrespect.
Answer:
Well, once I did the right thing, when my friend was severely injuired I called 911 and the ambulance came right away. I didn't, however, try to help him myself, which I thought was really selfish of myself. I should have helped him AND called the ambulance.
