1 Who wrote "A Small Needful Fact?" Roberto Huyen Robert Hayden Ros Guy Ross Gay 2 Where was the poem originally published? Be Holding Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude on Ross Gay's personal website Split the Rock Poetry 3 What is the form and meter? The fifteen lines of the poem are written in a single stanza in iambic pentameter. The fifteen lines of the poem are written in two stanzas with no delineated meter or rhyme scheme. The fifteen lines of the poem are written in a single stanza with no delineated meter or rhyme scheme. The fourteen lines of the poem are written in a single stanza with no delineated meter or rhyme scheme. 4 What is the "fact" mentioned in the poem's title? Garner once worked for the Parks and Rec. Horticultural Department Plants convert sunlight into food Garner was forty-three when he died Garner's life was tragically cut short 5 When was Ross Gay born? 1974 1981 1973 1969 6 How does the poet describe Garner's hands? large gentle calloused very large 7 How did Eric Garner die? He passed away from an asthma attack He died when a police officer shot him He did not die He died after a police officer placed him in a chokehold 8 What words became part of a national movement? Let me go Give me freedom Let my people go I can't breathe 9 Which poem is "A Small Needful Fact" in conversation with? Robert Hayden's "An Agony. As Now." Amiri Baraka's "An Agony. As Now." Robert Hayden's "Frederick Douglass" Amiri Baraka's "Frederick Douglass" 10 What does Gay speculate that Garner did? keep the peace in his community sell cigarettes attempt to defend himself put gently into the earth some plants 11 What is relevant about the way Gay writes about Garner? Gay writes against police brutality Gay honors Garner's life without attempting to sanctify him Gay writes about Garner's past job Gay explicitly protests Garner's death 12 Where does the word "hedge" come from? Old English word gelic, that meant “with the body,” as in “with the body of" The plants that often line sidewalks and houses Old English hecg, originally any fence, living or artificial Old English hecg, originally any plant, living or artificial 13 Which hedging phrases are used in the poem? "perhaps," "in all likelihood," and "most likely" "may," "think," and "to some extent" "presumably," "so to speak," and "seems" "It is clear that" and "it has been suggested" 14 Finish the quote: "continue to do what such plants do, like ___ creatures" be pleasant and nice-smelling give breath to house and feed small and necessary house small 15 Where does the word "like" come from? Old English hecg, originally any plant, living or artificial Old English word gelic, that meant “with the body,” as in “with the body of” Old English hecg, originally any fence, living or artificial Old English word gelic, originally any plant, living or artificial 16 What is horticulture? the razing of a garden the way culture changes over the course of history the term for systemic racism relating to the art or practice of garden cultivation and management 17 What is the last movement of the poem? "like converting sunlight into food" (Line 13) "continue to grow" (Line 9) "like being pleasant to touch and smell" (Line 12) "like making it easier / for us to breathe" (Lines 14-15) 18 Which of the following is NOT a major theme of the poem? The Glory of Faith Nature and Connection Breath Honoring a Life 19 What do the poem's hedging phrases and commas NOT accomplish? Provide a tone of hesitation Contribute to the impact of the final lines Cause the reader to rush through the reading Create pauses for breath 20 How does the language about nature in this poem contrast from other works by Gay? This poem's metaphors contrast Gay's typical matter-of-factness The flat and banal language of this poem contrasts Gay's usual exuberant descriptions Gay uses sensory details in this poem whereas he usually does not Gay does not usually write about nature 21 On Gay's personal website, what does he say he is interested in studying? Joy Happiness Poetry Horticulture 22 In Robert Hayden's sonnet, what important comparison is made that is relevant to "A Small Needful Fact?" Freedom and liberty are needful to man as air Freedom should belong to all Liberty is a beautiful dream Frederick Douglass is embodied through the practice of liberty 23 How was Eric Garner known in his community? as a peacemaker as a musician as a gardener as a storyteller 24 Which of the following is not true about the poem? The poem was widely shared across social media The poem is composed of a single sentence The poem honors a man without trying to sanctify him The poem implicitly deals with Garner's past work 25 Which line from Gay's book Be Holding relates to "A Small Needful Fact?" “fly some from the overboard” "but holds them both / in their flight" "for shooting the woman / and the little girl" "a docent / in the museum of black pain"
