Exploring the Text

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  1. What is the effect of the mirror imagery in the poem?

    Question

    Exploring the Text: - What is the effect of the mirror imagery in the poem?
  2. How does the juxtaposition of stone and flesh in line 5 contribute to the meaning of the poem?

    Question

    Exploring the Text: - How does the juxtaposition of stone and flesh in line 5 contribute to the meaning of the poem?
  3. How would you describe the tone created by the imagery of lines 6–8?

    Question

    Exploring the Text: - How would you describe the tone created by the imagery of lines 6–8?
  4. Why is the poem titled “Facing It”? Has the speaker found peace? Explain.

    Question

    Exploring the Text: - Why is the poem titled “Facing It”? Has the speaker found peace? Explain.
  5. Does this poem make an argument or is it solely a personal reflection? Explain your answer.

    Question

    Exploring the Text: - Does this poem make an argument or is it solely a personal reflection? Explain your answer.
  6. In an interview with the New York Times, Komunyakaa said that his life was a “healing process from the two places: Bogalusa and Vietnam.” How does this poem read as a statement of the healing process?

    Question

    Exploring the Text: - In an interview with the New York Times, Komunyakaa said that his life was a “healing process from the two places: Bogalusa and Vietnam.” How does this poem read as a statement of the healing process?