Maria Mazziotti Gillan - 'What Did I Want'

The transcript reflects on a poem about unfulfilled childhood dreams and the struggle to understand desires. It describes a classroom setting with a strict teacher, the monotony of daily life, and the escape into imagination and books. The narrative highlights the contrast between the gray reality of an Italian neighborhood and the vibrant possibilities found in literature.

What is the main theme introduced in the first section of the poem?

• The importance of education

• The confusion about desires

• The beauty of nature

• The joy of childhood

How does the narrator describe Mrs. Richmond?

• Kind and understanding

• Strict and critical

• Indifferent and aloof

• Friendly and supportive

What does the narrator often dream about during class?

• Playing with friends

• Traveling to new places

• Becoming a teacher

• Building a factory

What does the narrator compare their dreams to?

• A bright bird in their mind

• A dark cloud over their head

• A heavy stone in their heart

• A gentle breeze on their face

How does the narrator view books in the context of their life?

• As a means to make friends

• As a tool for learning languages

• As a way to escape reality

• As a source of factual knowledge