1. Poetry Terms Definitions
Look back at
“Fast Break” page 275
“Identity” page 279
“Ego Tripping” page 281
Where can you find examples of (fill in the chart)
Imagery
Diction
Hyperbole
Allusion
Others?

2. “Hanging Fire” By Audre Lorde
Activity 4.10 p
Exploring Theme

3. Purpose! To analyze a poem to identify a thematic concept
To write a response to literature making an assertion about theme
To identify and critique the function of a literary device
To create an original poem emulating the author’s style and/or incorporating the use of the literary devices analyzed

4. Read it! Read the poem aloud.
What does the line “momma’s in the bedroom with the door closed” mean?
What is the purpose of a refrain (a repeated line or group of lines)?
What did the poet choose to repeat THIS line “momma’s in the bedroom with the door closed.”
What about the lines/details leading up to the refrain? Do those help you analyze the repeated line…discover the importance.

5. Theme Review What is the author saying about LIFE in this poem?
Use this sentence stem:
In her poem “Hanging Fire,” Audre Lorde discusses/portrays/conveys…

6. Tying Questions to Theme
How does what we discussed with our questions for Lorde tie to the theme you came up?
Let’s turn this into a theme STATEMENT: a sentence about the theme.

7. For Example – THEME Statement
“Hanging Fire” reveals the tensions of teenage life when communication between a parent and a child is stifled.
The title of Audre Lorde’s poem, “Hanging Fire,” suggests that the narrator is worried about growing up and wants some guidance.
The title of Audre Lorde’s poem, “Hanging Fire,” suggests that there is a disconnect between the narrator’s desire and reality.

8. BEWARE! THEME Statement
A theme statement is NOT a thesis statement. There may be some similarities, but they are not the same.
“Hanging Fire” reveals the tensions of teenage life when communication between a parent and a child is stifled.
The title of Audre Lorde’s poem, “Hanging Fire,” suggests that the narrator is worried about growing up and wants some guidance.
The title of Audre Lorde’s poem, “Hanging Fire,” suggests that there is a disconnect between the narrator’s desire and her reality.
Orange = topic
Yellow= claim verb
Similar….but not the same and ALWAYS written in present tense

9. Theme Statements and Textual Evidence
Theme Statements do need textual evidence for support.
Do a seek and find! Look back through the poem for evidence to support your theme! Look for good diction and strong verbs
You know…the verbs that help us figure out the author is talking teen anxiety. Betrays, Cannot, Sucks, Dies… Goooooood Verbs, Mmmmmmm!

10. Guided Writing: Theme Statement with Text Evidence
Combine all these elements together for a complete theme statement: Theme, supporting info, strong verbs textual evidence
We have to embed the textual evidence seamlessly by:
Introducing the quote
Using the Quote
Explaining the Quoted Material

11. Embedding Text Evidence Example
“Hanging Fire,” is about teenager’s anxiety about growing up. In each of the stanzas, the speaker’s anxiety always comes back to the sad refrain that her mother is in the “bedroom with the door closed.” This refrain suggests that her mother is not available to help her as she worries about something as minor as her “ashy” knees and something as major as whether she will “die before morning comes.”
Let’s label the parts on the board!

12. Write your own complete theme statement on p. 286 of your text!
Question 3 – Writing Prompt: Explain a theme of Audre Lorde’s powm, “Hanging Fire.”

13. Try it Out!
Write an original thematic poem on the subject of your choice.
After you’ve written your poem, mark the poem to identify your knowledge of theme and explain your intended effect in the margin!
Add this to your collection of poems!