Shel Silverstein Poetry

Which statement best explains the metaphorical meaning of blue skin in the poem "Masks"?

• In the poem, only two people in the whole world have blue skin, which means that they must be soulmates.

• In the poem, blue skin is such a common trait that people must wear masks in order to appear unique.

• In the poem, blue skin represents a quality that people are afraid to share even though it is an important part of their identity.

• In the poem, blue skin is prohibited and they will be punished if they reveal their true skin color.

How does the illustration contribute to the meaning of the poem?

• The size of the masks in the illustration emphasizes how hard people try to hide their true selves.

• The simplicity of the drawing shows that being your true self is easy to do.

• The masks facing opposite directions in the illustration show that lying will get you nowhere.

• The different hairstyles in the drawing show that just because two people have blue skin doesn’t mean they are alike in every way. The different hairstyles in the drawing show that just because two people have blue skin doesn’t mean they are alike in every way.

What is the genre of both of these texts?

• prose

• historical fiction

• science fiction

• poetry

How many stanzas in each poem?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

How many lines in Masks?

• 6

• 7

• 8

• 9

In the poem Masks, You can infer that if they had removed their masks....

• they would be in trouble

• they would get in a fight

• they would be happy to find one another

• they would have no interest in one another

What are possible themes in both poems? Pick 2.

• Be yourself and you will meet people like you

• Protect yourself from new people, you don't know them well enough to trust

• Many people appear one way on the surface, however, their true identity may be different when you really get to know them.

• We all should have "masks" that help conceal our true identities.

Which quote from the poem best supports the metaphorical meaning of blue in the poem "Masks"?

• “She had blue skin”

• “kept it hid”

• “never knew”

In Underface, The speaker’s underface is…

• on display.

• happier.

• hidden.

• ugly.

Which of the following best describes the theme In Underface?

• People often hide how they truly feel.

• When people hide who they are, it makes them sad.

• It’s important to accept people for who they are.

• Wearing a mask can give a person strength.