Question

1. choose the correct answer based on the poem \a death song\ by dunbar.

what does this tell you about the speaker of the poem?
the speaker is tired of work and is actually desiring death.
the speaker loves nature and children. possibly, it shows a fear of death, of being alone and not knowing where his spirit will actually be.
the speaker is describing the resting place of a deceased loved one.
the speaker wishes to be buried on the property where he was born.

1. choose three correct answers based on the poem \a death song\ by dunbar.

select three ways dunbar figuratively expresses death in the poem with the correct connotative meaning.
go a-singin as it pass (line 1); joy in the freedom of death
when my shoulders drop their load (line 11); no more carrying lifes problems
whah de little birds in spring (line 8); the circle of life
sleep, rest (line 5); dead
laying low (line 3); dead or buried
hyeah de noises in de road (line 12);

Explanation:

Question 17

To determine the correct answer, we analyze the poem "A Death Song" by Dunbar. The speaker's reflections on death, nature, and children, along with the underlying fear of the unknown after death (being alone, not knowing where the spirit goes), align with the option stating the speaker loves nature and children, possibly showing a fear of death. The other options are incorrect: the speaker isn't desiring death (first option), not describing a loved one's resting place (third), and no mention of being buried at birthplace (fourth).

1. "when my shoulders drop their load (line 11); no more carrying life’s problems" – This figuratively shows death as relief from life's burdens.
2. "sleep, rest (line 5); dead" – Using "sleep" or "rest" as a euphemism for death is a common figurative device.
3. "laying low (line 3); dead or buried" – "Laying low" is a figurative way to refer to death or burial.

The other options either don't fit (e.g., "go a - singin’ as it pass" has a different connotation, "Whah de little birds in spring" refers to life's cycle not death, and the last option is incomplete).

Answer:

B. The speaker loves nature and children. Possibly, it shows a fear of death, of being alone and not knowing where his spirit will actually be.

Question 18