Paired Poems: "Women" & "Mother to Son"

In “Women,” Alice Walker mentions that the women of her mama’s generation had “fists as well as/ Hands.” What quality in the women does this detail emphasize?

• refinement

• tall stature

• determination

• compassion

What did the women in Alice Walker’s poem succeed in discovering for their children?

• good jobs

• equality of opportunity

• an education

• better housing

The following lines are an example of which poetic element?

"How they led/Armies/Headragged Generals/Across mined/Fields"

• simile

• metaphor

• alliteration

• speaker

Based on the poem, which of the following statements has evidence to prove that it  is true?

• She is a proud woman now, better than the previous generations of the past.

• The new generation of women will have to work harder than the women of the past.

• Men are better than women because they are generals and leaders in the military.

• Her mother's generation did whatever was necessary to improve future generations.

Which line below shows a strong example of imagery?

• "How they battered down/ Doors/And ironed/Starched White Shirts"

• "How they knew what we/Must know"

• "To discover books/ Desks/A place for us" 

• "They were women then/My mama's generation"

The poem compares the jobs of her mama’s generation with the jobs of

• soldiers

• teachers

• cops

• painters

What does the speaker mean when she says, “How they knew what/we/Must know/Without  knowing a page/Of it/ Themselves”?

• Her mama’s generation was uneducated and seeking a better future for their children.

• Her mama’s generation was powerful and seeking to hand down power to their children.

• Her mama’s generation was sad and seeking happiness for their future children.

• Her mama’s generation was educated and seeking to continue the tradition for their children.

Who is the speaker in "Women?"

• the mother

• a woman

• a girl child

• a boy child

Based on the speaker’s descriptions and tone, securing an education for future generations was

• easy

• peaceful

• dangerous

• impossible

What is most likely the theme of "Women?"

• Women lead armies better than men.

• Women are just as tough as men.

• Women will overcome any obstacles for their children.

• Women will make their children work as hard as they did.