Why should the world be over-wise, In counting all our tears and sighs? Nay, let them only see us while We wear the mask.

Transcription

1 by: Paul Laurence Dunbar ( ) E wear the mask that grins and lies, It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes-- This debt we pay to human guile; With torn and bleeding hearts we smile And mouth with myriad subtleties. Why should the world be over-wise, In counting all our tears and sighs? Nay, let them only see us while We wear the mask. We smile, but oh great Christ, our cries To Thee from tortured souls arise. We sing, but oh the clay is vile Beneath our feet, and long the mile; But let the world dream otherwise, We wear the mask! 1

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3 Directions: Read the poem on the cover of your packet. Then, write a paragraph (a minimum of 8 sentences) explaining what you think the poem means and whether of not you agree with the author. 3

4 Bronx Masquerade Reading Guide #1, pp On page 3, Wesley is talking about Tyrone. He says that Tyrone is just afraid he won t live long enough to be a hip-hop star. Why might Tyrone feel this way? 2. A simile is a comparison made using a word such as like or as. Find one example of a simile on page Wesley s poem Long Live Langston on page 5 is about the Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes. Based on Wesley s words and images in this poem, what do you think Langston Hughes wrote about in his literature? 4. On page 8, Tyrone gives the reason that he doesn t believe he will live to be very old. What is it? 5. Tyrone s poem Attendance recommends something to fight the world s problems. What is it? 6. When Chankara says, on page 13, that she looked in his eyes and saw my sister s reflection after Johnny hits her, what do you think she means? 7. Find two similes in Chankara s poem Bruised Love on page 15. 4

5 8. What does Tyrone think about men who hit women, based on what he says on page 17? Bronx Masquerade Reading Guide #2, pp How does Raul feel about what happened to Chankara? 2. What do Tyrone and Raul disagree about? 3. What does Mr. Ward do for Raul? 4. What is Raul s dream? 5. What two things does Raul believe that people compare him to? 6. What does Diondra like to do that she hides from others? 7. Why is Diondra s father disappointed in her? What is his dream for her? 8. What statement does Tyrone make to Diondra to make her feel more comfortable when she reads her poem at Open Mike? 5

6 9. Why does Devon hide the fact that he likes to read? 10. What idea does Janelle give Devon indirectly? 11. What does Tyrone realize about athletes because of Devon? 12. Why are the other teachers upset with Mr. Ward? 13. What does Lupe think she can do to solve the problem of her loneliness? Do you think this is the right decision? Explain. 14. Who is Lupe s boyfriend? 15. Why doesn t Lupe like Mami s boyfriend? 16. In Lupe s poem Brown Hands what do you think she is longing for? Bronx Masquerade Reading Guide #3, pp Who does Lupe think has an awesome life? Why? 2. What is Gloria s actual situation? 6

7 3. How does Gloria plan to make a good life for Angel? 4. What do you think Gloria would like to tell Lupe is she know of Lupe s desire to have a baby? 5. In her poem, Message to a Friend, there is some evidence the Gloria used to be just like Lupe. Can you find it? 6. What was Hollywood s lie? 7. What is the setting of Janelle s story? 8. What is Janelle doing at the beginning of her story? 9. Who is Devon? 10. Why does Janelle get upset when she realizes that Judianne is also in the bathroom? What has Janelle said that would embarrass her if the whole school found out? 7

8 11. Why is Janelle s poem called Inside? 12. Janelle says, Lucky for me, I don t bruise easily. What kind of bruise is Janelle talking about? 13. Why would Janelle compare herself to a coconut? What does a coconut look like? 14. What does Tyrone realize after hearing Janelle s poem? 15. What race is Leslie? 16. What happened to Leslie s mom? How did she die? 17. Describe Leslie s encounter with Porscha in the locker room. 18. What do Leslie and Porscha have in common? How are they different? 19. What is the result of the girls sharing about their mothers? 8

9 20. What do we learn about the Open Mike Fridays group? How do they appear to the rest of the school? 21. What is Leslie scared of more than anything else in the world? Can you relate to her fear? 22. Who do you think Leslie is writing this poem about? Why? 23. What is a buoy? What does it represent in this poem? 9

10 Bronx Masquerade Reading Guide #4, pp What are two of the reasons why Judianne stays up late working on an outfit for Open Mike Friday? 2. What is Judianne s talent? 3. What does Judianne want to turn herself into? 4. In Cocoon, what is Judianne trying to achieve? 5. What two reasons does Lupe give for wanting to break-up with Marco? 6. What is Lupe afraid of? What makes it okay? 7. What is the earth compared to in El Noche? 8. What does Tyrone mean when he says, That s one thing these ladies know how to do. Be soft and strong at the same time. Like my moms.? 10

11 9. Why does he say, Like my moms Instead of Like my mom? 10. What does Janelle think that she has in common with Judianne? 11. Why hasn t Janelle spoken to Judianne since they ran into each other in the bathroom? 12. Why isn t Janelle made at Judianne for being so rude? 13. Why did Janelle name her poem, Mirror, Mirror? 14. Why doesn t Tanisha get along with some of the girls at school? 15. Why does Tanisha tell Diondra to do the report cover instead of ask her if she will? 16. What do we learn about Tanisha s ancestry at the end of her story? 17. After hearing Tanisha s poem, do you think Tyrone continues to call her caramel cutie? Why or why not? 11

12 18. How does Devon define the word superficial? 19. What does Devon mean when he talks about being put in a box? 20. Which box is Devon put into? Does he like it? Why or why not? 21. Why is Devon going to make sure his basketball teammates see him reading a book of poetry? 22. Explain Devon s poem, Black Box. 23. Does Tyrone agree with Devon? 24. Who does he see differently now from when he first started this class? 12

13 Part II 1. What is Sterling s middle name? Bronx Masquerade Reading Guide #5, pp What happened to Sterling while he was standing in the lunch line? How did he respond to it? 3. Why did Leon say, You sick, man Stay away from me! to Sterling? 4. What does Sterling plan on doing when he grows up? Why does he want to do that? 5. In Sterling s poem D-Train, what do you believe the D stands for? Why? 6. Which part of the face does Raul think Diondra is especially good at drawing? 13

14 7. Why do you think Diondra is gaining confidence in her abilities as an artist? 8. Even with her newfound confidence, Diondra is still fearful of something. What is she afraid of? 9. Tyrone plans to have a poetry slam next year. What does he mean by poetry slam? 10. Name one reason Amy Moscowitz is afraid to get close to anyone. 11. How did Amy s father act when she had to go to the hospital with appendicitis? 12. Amy is jealous of ONE thing. Tell me what that one thing is. 13. Amy has confided some in Sterling. He has given her some great advice. What do you feel is the best advice Sterling has given her? Why? 14. In her poem, Ode to Stone, Amy shares her desire to just be a rock. Why does she feel like being turned to stone would be helpful? 14

15 15. Tyrone states two times in his life when he wished he couldn t feel the hurt. List those two times. 16. What does Sheila want to change her name to? Why? 17. Sheila uses a SIMILE on page 110. Find it and write it here: 15

16 Bronx Masquerade Reading Guide #6, pp Name one thing Steve Ericson knows for sure. 2. What does Steve want to be right now in his life? What college does he plan to attend? 3. What does Steve s dad decide to do? Why is this a problem for Steve? 4. What plans did Steve s dad have for his won life? What happened to his Dad s dreams? 5. Two people are coming to Open Mike Friday. Who are they? 6. Is Steve worried about changing his plans? How do you know? 7. What is Raynard Patterson s mother s favorite saying? 8. How does Raynard wish he could complete his homework assignments? 16

17 9. What comes easiest for Raynard? What does he dream of? 10. What instrument does Raynard play? 11. Why do people think Raynard is a moron? 12. What secret has Raynard and Mr. Ward agreed to keep? 13. What is the name of Raynard s poem? What does this mean? 14. Who joins Tyrone, Wesley, and Sterling for Open Mike Friday? Why does this surprise Tyrone? 15. What is the name of the poem Tyrone, Wesley, and Steve do for the class? 16. Name at least three societal problems that the students mention. a. b. c. 17. Why is the news called, infotainment? 17

18 18. Which wall does Steve say he wants to knock down? 19. What does Sheila think she needs to fit in? 20. What important information pearls of wisdom does Wesley give to Sheila regarding fitting in? 21. After reading Sheila s poem, Private Puzzle, do you think Wesley s advice helped? How do you know? 22. Who asked Janelle to marry her? Why is this funny? 23. In Janelle s poem, The Door, what do you think she means by the lines, Is your heart/ like an onion too?/ Show me yours./ I ll show you mine/ we used to say./ Your turn./peel away. 18

19 1. Who is Lupe dating? Bronx Masquerade Reading Guide #7, pp Why is she trying to keep her grades up? 3. What does Lupe want to become? 4. Why does Lupe name the new drawer Manana in her poem, Imagine? 5. Why is Diondra s dad disappointed in her? 6. Why does she leave the Michael Jordan sketch under the remote? 7. What is she trying to tell her dad in her poem? 8. Why does Porscha want to change her name? 9. What monster does she want to keep packed and never see again? 19

20 10. Who surprises Porscha the most at Open Mike Friday? How/why? 11. Why does she say, Mom, I finally forgive you. at the end of her poem 12. What did Tyrone learn as a result of Open Mike Friday? 13. What is the new student s name? 14. Why doesn t she fit in? 15. What stereotype is pushed onto her because she s part Vietnamese? 16. What does she attend on her first day of school? 17. How does she feel after her first day of school? 20

21 Characters at a Glance Part II Character Description Issues Subject of Poem Characters at a Glance Part II Character Description Issues Subject of Poem 21