1. Lineage
By: Margaret Walker

2. My grandmothers were strong. They followed plows and bent to toil
My grandmothers were strong. They followed plows and bent to toil. They moved through fields sowing seed. They touched earth and grain grew. They were full of sturdiness and singing. My grandmothers were stronger. My grandmothers are full of memories Smelling of soap and onions and wet clay With veins rolling roughly over quick hands They have many clean words to say. Why am I not as they

3. Lineage Lineage-Linear descent from ancestor Toil- work extremely hard
Sowing- plant seeds by scattering on or in Earth

4. Margaret Walker Born: July 7th 1915 Birmingham Alabama
Joined the federal writers project after graduations from Northwestern University
Taught at Jackson State University until retirement in 1969
She died on November 30th

5. Sound and poetic devices
Repetition- My grandmothers were strong
Alliteration- Grain grew
Consonance- Veins and hands
Assonance- They and say
Rhyme Scheme- A and G
Imagery- Whole poem

6. Summary
First stanza is telling how they are all working out in the fields. “They followed plows and bent to toil.” Second stanza explains how they are in the kitchen working. “Smelling of soap and onions and wet clay.” this poem is explaining all grandmothers in the past. It shows that they all had to work hard for what they wanted. The message is about the author is comparing herself to them and wondering why she isn’t as strong as them.

7. What do you think the message is?

8. sources
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