Compare Non-fiction Selection To Poetry "Fortune's Bones" And "Not My Bones"

The answer "the soul" is the best description for the speaker of the poem because the speaker is the one expressing their thoughts, emotions, and experiences through the poem. The soul is often associated with the innermost essence of a person, representing their deepest feelings and beliefs. In the context of a poem, the speaker's voice and perspective are crucial in conveying the poem's message, making "the soul" an apt description.

The speaker in "Not My bones" uses repetition of the phrase "glad to be free" in lines 41-42 of the poem to emphasize their happiness. By repeating the phrase, the speaker emphasizes the depth of their joy and the significance of their newfound freedom. This repetition serves to highlight the speaker's emotional state and convey the intensity of their happiness.

The repetition of the phrase "I was not this body/I was not these bones" in the poem contributes to the meaning by emphasizing the idea that a person's true essence goes beyond their physical appearance. The narrator is asserting that one's soul and heart are the most significant aspects of their being, rather than their external form. This highlights the importance of looking beyond superficial judgments and recognizing the intrinsic value of individuals based on their inner qualities.

The statement "that a person's essential nature (who they truly are) can never be enslaved" suggests that the poem "Not My Bones" conveys the idea that even though a person may be physically enslaved, their inner self and identity cannot be controlled or suppressed by slavery. The poem likely explores the resilience and strength of the human spirit, emphasizing that one's true essence cannot be taken away by external circumstances like slavery.

The speaker in "Not My Bones" would be unafraid of the idea of death because they state that people are much more than their bodies. This suggests that they have a deeper understanding of the human experience and believe in the existence of something beyond the physical realm. This belief would likely give them a sense of peace and acceptance towards the idea of death, knowing that there is more to life than just the physical body.

Marilyn Nelson was inspired to write the poem "Not my Bones" to illustrate the central idea that while Fortune's physical body (his bones) may still endure, it is not nearly as significant as his soul that can never be contained or put on display. The poem explores the concept of eternal freedom and the enduring nature of the soul, emphasizing the importance of spiritual strength over physical existence.

The fact that Fortune's skeleton was sturdy and complete supports the idea that he was generally in good health. A sturdy and complete skeleton indicates that he did not suffer from any major diseases or injuries that would have affected his bone structure. It suggests that he had a strong and healthy body, which is often a sign of overall good health.

The speaker means that thinking a person is only their physical appearance is like a horseless bridle trying to function on its own, which would be empty. This simile suggests that a person's essence and identity cannot be reduced to their physical body alone.

The author included various details about Fortune's personal life to help the reader see him as a person/individual and connect more with him/his plight. By providing these details, the author humanizes Fortune and allows the reader to empathize with him, which in turn deepens their understanding of his experiences as a slave. This helps to create a more emotional and personal connection between the reader and Fortune, making his story more relatable and impactful.

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Both the poem and the non-fiction article about Fortune emphasize the importance of respecting both the living and the dead. They both suggest that this should be a priority for all of mankind. The poem may discuss the value of honoring the deceased and recognizing their contributions to society, while the non-fiction article may highlight the significance of remembering and valuing the lives of those who came before us. Overall, both texts support the idea that respect for both the living and the dead is essential for humanity.

Nelson most likely uses the word "itty-bitty" to describe the people's voices because the world is filled with an enormous amount of voices, making one voice seem very small in comparison.

Over time, people forgot about the origin of Fortune's skeleton and its true name. In order to refer to the remains, they randomly chose the name "Larry" as a way to identify the skeleton without knowing its actual identity.

The correct answer is that the members thought the display was disrespectful. This suggests that the reason for discontinuing the display of Fortune's bones was the belief among the museum members that it was disrespectful to publicly exhibit the remains of a person, particularly a former slave. This indicates a concern for ethical considerations and a desire to treat human remains with dignity and respect.

The selection states that most slaves who died in Waterbury in the 1700s were buried in the town's cemeteries. This means that after their death, their bodies were laid to rest in the cemeteries located within the town. This suggests that there was a practice of giving slaves a proper burial in designated burial grounds, indicating a level of recognition and respect for their lives even in death.

Fortune's remains were found again by a crew of workers. This suggests that the discovery was accidental and not intentional. It is likely that the crew of workers stumbled upon Fortune's remains while carrying out their regular duties or while conducting construction work. The other options, such as the staff of a museum, a college physiology class instructor, or one of Porter's descendants, imply a deliberate search or investigation, which is not mentioned in the question. Therefore, the most plausible explanation is that the discovery was made by chance by a crew of workers.

Dr. Porter's medical specialty was setting broken bones. This means that he was skilled and experienced in the process of aligning and immobilizing fractured bones to promote proper healing. This specialization would have involved knowledge of anatomy, orthopedic techniques, and the use of various tools and devices to treat fractures.

The detail from the story that best supports the idea of an unusual relationship between Fortune and Doctor Porter is that Fortune had a house of his own on Porter's land. This suggests that Fortune had a level of autonomy and independence that was uncommon for a slave. It implies that Fortune had a certain level of trust and respect from Porter, as well as a degree of freedom and agency in his own life. This detail highlights the unique dynamics of their relationship, as it goes against the typical power dynamics between a slave and their owner.

The correct answer would be "You can murder hope, you can pound faith flat, but like wildflowers, they grow right back." This line contradicts the idea that molecules come together only for as long as the person lives and then move on. It suggests that hope and faith can be destroyed but will always come back, implying that they are not temporary like the human body.

The author's attitude towards the subject of Fortune's Bones is matter-of-fact. This means that the author presents the information in a straightforward and objective manner, without expressing any strong emotions or opinions. The tone is neutral and focuses on providing factual details about the subject, without trying to sway the reader's emotions or opinions.

The correct answer is the strength of enslaved people's hope. This is because the central idea and theme of the poem revolve around the resilience and determination of enslaved individuals, highlighting their unwavering hope in the face of adversity. The poem likely explores the struggles and hardships faced by these individuals, but ultimately focuses on their ability to maintain hope and find strength in their circumstances.

The decision made by Dr. Porter to preserve Fortune's bones was significant for the Porter family because it led to four more generations of Porters becoming physicians. This suggests that the preservation of Fortune's skeleton and the subsequent analysis of the bones by historians and scientists may have sparked an interest in medicine within the family. It also implies that the legacy of Fortune and his family's history, represented by his skeleton, inspired future generations to pursue a career in medicine, possibly as a way to honor their ancestor.

The last line/paragraph of the article connects to the central idea of the poem by emphasizing that the bones were the least significant part of Fortune's life. This suggests that the author wanted to highlight Fortune's character, courage, and integrity as a hero among slaves, rather than focusing on his physical remains. The author's intention was to convey this message through a combination of poetic and non-fictional elements in the work.

The poem contradicts the viewpoint in the article by emphasizing that a person's true essence, their soul, cannot be held captive or possessed, whether in life or in the afterworld. This contradicts the idea in the article that Fortune was not free for many years after his death because the poem suggests that his soul was set free upon his death. The figurative language used in the poem supports this idea, highlighting the notion that a person's true identity and essence can never be controlled or owned.