Questions

1. What do you think is the purpose of the poem’s subtitle, “Poet & Servant to Mr. Wheatley of Boston, on her Maiden Voyage to Britain”? Why is it fitting that Kevin Young chose this particular situation to focus on in his poem?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Questions: - What do you think is the purpose of the poem’s subtitle, “Poet & Servant to Mr. Wheatley of Boston, on her Maiden Voyage to Britain”? Why is it fitting that Kevin Young chose this particular situation to focus on in his poem?
2. How do you interpret “Who could resist a Negress / who can recite Latin and speak the Queen’s” (ll. 29–30)? Is Young being serious? Sarcastic? Support your response by citing specific phrases and lines.

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Questions: - How do you interpret “Who could resist a Negress / who can recite Latin and speak the Queen’s” (ll. 29–30)? Is Young being serious? Sarcastic? Support your response by citing specific phrases and lines.
3. In lines 31–40, Young interprets the feelings and motivations of Wheatley. What conclusions does he draw? Do you agree with him?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Questions: - In lines 31–40, Young interprets the feelings and motivations of Wheatley. What conclusions does he draw? Do you agree with him?
4. What question does Young ask in lines 51–54? Is it a rhetorical question or one he is asking her? Explain your response.

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Questions: - What question does Young ask in lines 51–54? Is it a rhetorical question or one he is asking her? Explain your response.
5. What is the effect of separating the final line—which is part of a sentence that begins in the previous stanza?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Questions: - What is the effect of separating the final line—which is part of a sentence that begins in the previous stanza?
6. What examples do you find of Young using language more appropriate to Wheatley’s milieu than to his own contemporary one? How does that language help you understand why Young wrote this poem as a dialogue between himself and Wheatley?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Questions: - What examples do you find of Young using language more appropriate to Wheatley’s milieu than to his own contemporary one? How does that language help you understand why Young wrote this poem as a dialogue between himself and Wheatley?
7. On the basis of this poem, what is the connection Young feels to Wheatley?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Questions: - On the basis of this poem, what is the connection Young feels to Wheatley?