`GRUNNUR`
One Today

1. What American values does the poet emphasize in this poem? What poetic techniques does the poet use to emphasize these values? Cite evidence from the text to support your response.

Some American values the poet emphasizes in this poem include unity and the American dream. He uses the repetition of "One" to symbolize us all being in this together, and says "the “I have a dream” we keep dreaming" which is an illusion to Dr. Martin Luther King's famous speech.

2. The poet begins many stanzas with the word “One.” Why do you think he does this? How does this choice reflect the message of the poem? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

To use repetition to show that everyday we all share the same experiences in life, it pulls us together and makes us feel more familiar with each other.

Osceola

3. Why do you think the author uses the first person plural “we” instead of using the first person singular “I”? What effect does this have on the poem’s meaning and the reader’s experience? Cite specific evidence from the text to support your answer.

The author uses the "we" instead of "I" because it creates a more unified and welcoming mood for the reader. This allows the reader to feel like they're a part of everything going on and not just reading about someone talking about it. Lines 3-6 of the poem make the reader feel what the author's talking about more deeply, because they feel like they're also awaiting the warrior.

4. How is the reader’s experience of the poem affected by the frequent use of exclamation marks and rhetorical questions? Cite specific evidence from the text to support your answer.




Christmas, 1970

5. Why does Castillo’s mother have a Red Cross box and why is the box significant? Cite specific evidence from the text to support your answer.

6. One can infer from the poem that Castillo’s family has been exiled from their homeland. How does that affect their experience of their first Christmas in the United States? Cite specific evidence from the text to support your answer.

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