Warren Pryor Response
January 08, 2014
Formative Self­Assessment of "Warren Pryor" Response Questions
For each question, grade yourself 1­4 4 ­ Exemplary: Did you include all of the relevant information in a stylish and conventional way?
3 ­ Strong: Did you include all of the information in a conventional way but would possibly work on your style or include some more information?
2 ­ Developing: Did you include most of the relevant information but might be missing some components?
1 ­ Beginning: Were you a bit off track?
1. Write a brief summary of each stanza.
a. Warren’s parents, who worked on and owned a farm, sacrificed to make sure he got a good education.
b. His parents were very proud at his graduation that he received a diploma that would free him from work on a farm.
c. Warren got a job at a bank where he was free from farm labour.
d. Warren was hard and serious about his job at the bank. He felt unfulfilled because he really wanted to work on the farm and never wanted this life for himself.
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Warren Pryor Response
2.
a.
b.
c.
d.
January 08, 2014
Identify 1 simile and 1 metaphor, and explain the meaning of each.
Simile – he was “hard and serious like a young bear inside a teller’s cage” meaning he was aching to be free of this career and never wanted it for himself
Metaphor – “their cups ran over” meaning that when Warren got the job at the bank, his family benefited financially from it – their cups ran over meant they now had plenty
Metaphor – “him picking up the slender scroll, his passport from the years of brutal toil” this is comparing his graduation diploma to a passport which would allow him access to a life his parents never had – to a better career than farm labour
Metaphor – “barren hole” indirectly compared to life on the farm – the parents felt very negatively about their way of life – its hardships and lack of success
3. What is the theme/life lesson in this poem?
a. You cannot live vicariously through other people/ parents cannot try to fulfill their dreams through their children/ you must try to fulfill your dreams, for if you remain quiet, you will be forever unhappy and dissatisfied
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Warren Pryor Response
January 08, 2014
4. How would you describe Warren Pryor? Use at least 4 words that are supported with proof.
a. Loyal – he was loyal to his parents because he wanted to make them proud, so he sacrificed the life he wanted to please them (and help them financially)
b. Unhappy – Warren did not achieve his dreams and lived unhappily in a life he never wanted
c. Hardened – he would go to work everyday, doing something he hated, and patiently wait on people
d. Bitter – he is in a life he doesn’t want
e. Frustrated – he does not like his career path, but wants to make his parents happy
5. Investigate possible meanings of the title.
a. Could be the character’s name – or that his what it most obviously identifies
b. Warren – a network of interconnecting rabbit burrows, and Pryor – someone who pries something (has difficulty opening) – has a completely different meaning and relates to the description of the character in the poem
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