Investigate, Inquire, and Imagine

Recall

1a. In "There is no frigate like a book," to what four things does the speaker compare books and poetry?

2a. In "He ate and drank the precious words," what effect do the words have on the person who "eats" and "drinks" them? Where did this person find these "precious words"?

3a. To what three things does the speaker compare the brain?

Interpret

1b. What do the things to which the speaker compares books and poetry have in common? Why are books and poetry similar to these things?

2b. How does the speaker feel about books? What words let you know?

3b. In what way do the things the speaker describes compare to the brain? What is the outcome of the comparison, or in other words, what is the speaker trying to say about the human mind?

Analyze

4a. Identify the main idea you see in each of the three poems.

Synthesize

4b. What do you think these poems reveal about the poet's values? about her personality?

Perspective

5a. Do you agree with Dickinson's thoughts about books and writing? Explain how your own thoughts about writing are similar to or different from the poet's.

Empathy

5b. Given what you know about Emily Dickinson (see the Prereading page and the About the Author section), explain why she may have felt so strongly about books.

Understanding Literature

Lyric Poem. Explain what emotions the speaker explores in each of the poems you have just read.

Stanza, Image, and Imagery. Which poem makes use of stanzas and what type of stanzas does it use? What are the central images in each of these poem's stanzas?

Skill Builders

Vocabulary

Definitions. Using your own words, write a definition for each of the following Words for Everyday Use.

bequest

dingy

frugal

heft

prance

robust

Language, Grammar, and Style

Using Contractions. In the following sentences, identify the contractions, the words contracted, and their parts of speech.

Example I can't make it to the party.
contraction: can't
words contracted: can not
parts of speech: can (helping verb; not (negative, adverb)

1. It isn't light outside.
contraction:
words contracted:
parts of speech:

2. Please don't fight.
contraction:
words contracted:
parts of speech:

3. Who's on the phone?
contraction:
words contracted:
parts of speech:

4. Where's Nancy?
contraction:
words contracted:
parts of speech:

5. You shouldn't open that.
contraction:
words contracted:
parts of speech:

6. I couldn't reach it.
contraction:
words contracted:
parts of speech:

7. Aren't you tired yet?
contraction:
words contracted:
parts of speech:

8. She'll be here shortly.
contraction:
words contracted:
parts of speech:

9. Everything's ready.
contraction:
words contracted:
parts of speech:

10. I won't allow shoes on in the house.
contraction:
words contracted:
parts of speech: