1. PPEC Homework Questions
“Vulture” Answers
PPEC Homework Questions

2. Discuss “The Vulture”
In your own words, describe the vulture and explain what happens in this poem.

3. Discuss “The Vulture”
In the poem, the vulture sores in the air in search of food, finds his prey, and then devours it. The vulture is described as dark, ominous, and hungry. For example, he is referred to as ‘dark’ and ‘a blight.’ In addition, his neck swings like a pendulum in search of food. The word choice and simile emphasize his threatening nature.

4. Discuss “The Vulture”
2. Choose one example of imagery that you think is particularly memorable. Why is it so effective?

5. Discuss “The Vulture”
2. The image of the vulture in the opening stanza is highly effective. As proof, it is referred to as ‘black’ as it soars over ‘death’ and ‘blight’ in the eye of the sun. These words create dark imagery. This imagery emphasizes the ominousness of the creature and sets the bleak atmosphere that guides the attack in the poem.

6. Discuss “The Vulture”
3. There are several examples of alliteration in the poem. Choose two examples and explain how each one is effective.

7. Discuss “The Vulture”
3. In the sixth stanza of the poem, Livingston uses alliteration to describe the movement of the vulture. As evidence, once the vulture lands, Livingston writes, “he breaks lazily before has back breaks” (26-7). The repetition of the ‘b’ sound slows the reading to reflect the movement of the animal.

8. Discuss “The Vulture”
4. Find three examples of metaphor in the poem. For each describe the two things being compared and explain how the metaphor is effective.

9. Discuss “The Vulture”
Livingstone uses metaphor to describe the vulture. For example, in stanza five the vulture is “the hyaena of the skies” (22). A hyaena is an aggressive animal that scavenges for food. This is an effective metaphor for the vulture because it hungrily seeks and devours its prey.