"Identity" by Julio Noboa

"Identity" by Julio Noboa

Lesson Objective

By the end of this lesson you will be able to analyze how an author uses conventional and contextual symbols in a poem to communicate a theme.

Multiple Choice

A conventional symbol is ________________. A contextual symbol is _________________.

• the main symbol used in a poem; the non-important symbols used

• the symbol's understood meaning; the meaning of the symbol based on the poem

• the symbol associated with the theme; the symbol associated with the tone

Julio Noboa

• Julio Noboa is a poet and former professor of social studies at the University of Texas at El Paso

• He is known for advocating for better representation of Latin American history in social studies.

• His poem Identity was published in 1973

Read this Poem

• How does he describe the flowers?

• How does he describe the weeds?

• 
  

Open Ended

What do you think the conventional meaning of the flowers is? What is its contextual meaning?

The Flowers

• Remember, the conventional meaning of a symbol is a meaning that is widely known. Since flowers usually symbolize beauty, youth, and/or gentleness, that would be the conventional meaning.

• Conversely, the contextual meaning is the meaning that is based on the poem. It's the meaning that the poet gives the symbol. For this, we're going to have to look more closely.

• Noboa describes the flowers as being "harnessed to a pot of dirt" and "praised, handled, and plucked by greedy human hands." What does this tell you about the contextual meaning of the flowers?

The Weeds

• Just like the flowers, the weeds also have a conventional meaning: evil, wildness, and outcasts of society. Basically, we tend to not have a very good view of weeds.

• In this poem, the weeds also have a contextual meaning. Look at how the poet describes them: "clinging on cliffs, like an eagle"; "...broken through the surface of stone to live"'

• What do these clues tell you about the meaning of the weeds?

Now, lets use the symbols to analyze the poem

The flowers are shown as being pampered, but restricted. We know that, because Noboa says that they're "harnessed to a pot of dirt." He also repeatedly makes distinctions between the flowers and the weeds.

By contrast, the weeds are shown as being independent and free. We know that because Noboa says they've "broken through the surface of stone, to live..."

How else does he describe the flowers and weeds?

Text-Dependent Questions

Choose the best answer or respond with complete sentences.

Multiple Choice

Part A: Which of the following identifies the theme of the poem?

• People often fear those who choose not to conform to the majority

• It is much easier to be true to yourself than to conform to what others expect

• Being different can be isolating but it leads to true independence and happiness

• People who must overcome difficult circumstances are often stronger.

Multiple Choice

Part B: Which detail from the poem best supports your answer to Part A?

• "always watered, fed, guarded, admired" (line 2)

• "beyond the mountains of time or into the abyss of the bizarre" (line 12)

• "where they're praised, handled, and plucked" (line 17)

• "If I could stand alone, strong and free" (line 21)

Multiple Choice

Part A: How does the poet's description of the weed contribute to the meaning of the poem?

• It emphasizes the wild nature of the weed, which shows the thrill of

  uncontrolled freedom.

• It portrays the weed as dangerous to the other flowers, which explains why the

  weed is isolated.

• It portrays the weed as angry that it is unwanted, and this emphasizes the pain of isolation.

• It presents the weed as quietly beautiful, and this challenges traditional ideas of

  beauty.

Multiple Choice

PART B: Which section from the poem best supports the answer to Part A?

• “but harnessed to a pot of dirt.” (Line 3)

• “to live, to feel exposed to the madness” (Line 8)

• “I'd rather be unseen” (Line 13)

• “growing in clusters in the fertile valley” (Line 16)

Open Ended

How does the speaker’s description of flowers develop the meaning of the poem?

Poll

So, what about you? Do you feel like a flower or a weed?

• Flower

• Weed

• Both

• Neither

Thank you!