I, Being Born a Woman and Distressed Quizzes

I, Being Born a Woman and Distressed Quiz

1 Which of the following is true of the poem's theme of rationality?
The speaker believes objectivity and rationality to be nonexistent and impossible

The speaker describes her sexual desires as contradictory to her rationality

The speaker admires her lover's ability to behave rationally

The speaker thinks of herself as rational, but is clearly irrational
2 What does the phrase "fume of life" refer to?
Cigar smoke

The holy spirit

Sexual desire

Food and water
3 Which assumption does the speaker attempt to dismantle?
That her physical attraction is a sign that she is impure or sexually experienced

That her lack of interest in conversation means she is not attracted to her listener

That her love means she consents to sex

That her physical attraction is a sign of love
4 What function does the poem's opening word serve?
It lets us know that the speaker has never met her listener

It hints at the speaker's self-assurance

It tells us that the speaker is writing a letter

It tells us that the speaker is taking on a false identity
5 Which of the following is used as a metonymic representation of rationality?
The book

The fume

The blood

The brain
6 What is the rhyme scheme of the poem's first half?
ABAB ABAB

AABB AABB

ABA ABA ABA

ABBA ABBA
7 How does the poem present the relationship between love and lust?
Love and lust are portrayed as being distinct and independent

Love is portrayed as the domain of women and lust as the domain of men

Lust is portrayed as a force tarnishing the purity of love

Love is portrayed as inevitably resulting from lust and attraction
8 What does "zest" mean in the poem's context?
Pain

Desire

Citrus rind

Revulsion
9 Where is the poem's volta?
After line 7

After line 4

After line 12

After line 8
10 Which social norms does the poem interrogate?
The sexual and gender norms of the early twentieth century

The labor structures and inequalities of the gilded age

The norms of politeness and veiled language predominant in Victorian society

The norms surrounding division of labor in the Edwardian household
11 Which of the following is true of the addressee?
We know nothing of the addressee except that the speaker dislikes them

They are a young man

They are an older man

They are a young woman
12 Which of the following does "blood" symbolize?
Sexual desire

Violence

Revolution

Familial relationship
13 What is this poem's form?
Italian sonnet

Ghazal

English sonnet

Sestina
14 Which of the following is an example of personification?
season / My scorn with pity

distressed / By all the needs and notions of my kind

feel a certain zest / To bear your body’s weight

the poor treason / Of my stout blood
15 Which line contains alliterative N sounds?
Your person fair, and feel a certain zest

And leave me once again undone, possessed.

By all the needs and notions of my kind,

My scorn with pity,—let me make it plain:
16 What does "stout" mean in the context of this poem?
Sturdy

Loud

Fat

Small
17 Which phrase contains alliterative I sounds?
weight upon my breast

undone, possessed

life designed

my stout blood
18 In which poetry collection did this work first appear?
A Few Figs and Thistles

The Harp-Weaver and Other Poems

Aria da Capo

Renascence and Other Poems
19 What is the poem's primary meter?
Trochaic trimeter

Iambic pentameter

Iambic trimeter

Trochaic pentameter
20 Which line contains alliterative B sounds?
Am urged by your propinquity to find

I find this frenzy insufficient reason

To bear your body’s weight upon my breast:

I shall remember you with love, or season
21 Which verb is metaphorically used to describe the mixing of emotions?
Breed

Flavor

Season

Blend
22 Which best describes the poem's tone?
Passionate

Apathetic

Ironic

Gentle
23 What does the word "propinquity" mean?
Sarcasm

Proximity

Cleverness

Boldness
24 Which best describes the speaker?
Self-possessed woman

Wise mother

Frightened young girl

Mysterious, disembodied spirit
25 What is the rhyme scheme of the poem's second half?
CDECDE

CD CE CD CE

CDED CDED

CDCDCD

I, Being Born a Woman and Distressed Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for I, Being Born a Woman and Distressed is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Ask Your Own Question

Study Guide for I, Being Born a Woman and Distressed

I, Being Born a Woman and Distressed study guide contains a biography of Edna St. Vincent Millay, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

Read the Study Guide for I, Being Born a Woman and Distressed…