Question

the school days of an indian girl
by zitkala-sa

v. iron routine

1 a loud-clamoring bell awakened us at half-past six in the cold winter mornings. from happy dreams of western rolling lands and unlassoed freedom we tumbled out upon chilly bare floors back again into a paleface day. we had short time to jump into our shoes and clothes, and wet our eyes with icy water, before a small hand bell was vigorously rung for roll call.

2 there were too many drowsy children and too numerous orders for the day to waste a moment in any apology to nature for giving her children such a shock in the early morning. we rushed downstairs, bounding over two high steps at a time, to land in the assembly room.

Explanation:

Identify the source text and context

The provided image contains an excerpt from "The School Days of an Indian Girl" by Zitkála-Šá, specifically Section V, "Iron Routine." The text describes the strict, highly disciplined, and cold environment of a boarding school, focusing on the morning routine, the roll call conducted by a white woman, and the harsh, unyielding rules regarding attendance and punctuality.

Analyze handwritten annotations

There are handwritten annotations on the text:

• An arrow pointing from the phrase "halo of authority" in paragraph [4] with the handwritten word "metaphor".
• An arrow pointing from the phrase "heavy-shod, like domestic beasts" in paragraph [5] with the handwritten word "simile".

Summarize the key themes of the excerpt

The excerpt highlights the loss of freedom ("unlassoed freedom") as the children are forced into a rigid, mechanical routine ("iron routine"). The authority figures are depicted as cold, unsympathetic, and vigilant, monitoring the children closely and enforcing strict compliance without regard for illness or personal suffering.

Answer:

The provided image contains an excerpt from Section V, "Iron Routine," of Zitkála-Šá's autobiographical work, The School Days of an Indian Girl.

The text details the rigid, mechanical, and highly disciplined environment of the boarding school:

• The "Iron Routine": The children are abruptly awakened by a loud bell and forced to quickly dress and assemble, leaving behind their dreams of freedom.
• Strict Authority: A white woman strictly monitors the children using a roll book, showing no sympathy for illness or difficulties, and marking any absences or tardiness relentlessly.
• Handwritten Annotations:
• The phrase "halo of authority" in paragraph [4] is identified as a metaphor.
• The phrase "heavy-shod, like domestic beasts" in paragraph [5] is identified as a simile.