Unit 7: Reading Activity

Directions: For the Reading Activity answer the following questions completely in a word processing document then attach and submit by clicking on the “Unit 7: Reading Activity” link above.

Please make sure you are submitting your assignment as an attachment in either .doc or PDF format.  Assignments typed into the textbox will not be graded until they are attached.

Remember to follow these guidelines:

1. Provide evidence from the text. Be specific!
2. Give reasoning for your response with a few sentences of commentary.
3. Proofread for spelling and grammar errors.
4. Answer ALL parts of the question.

The Odyssey

Book V

1. Who is Hermes, and what is his mission?
2. What can Hermes do with his wand?
3. Who is holding Odysseus captive?
4. What is Calypso’s reaction to having to let Odysseus go?
5. What is the main problem Odysseus faces while traveling by sea?
6. What happens to Odysseus at the end of Book 5?

Book X

1. Who is the god of wind and what favor does he do for Odysseus and his men?
2. What stupid mistake do some of the men make on the ship and how do even more men die after the bag accident?
3. What does Circe do to some of Odysseus’s men?
4. How does Odysseus get her to release his men?
5. What instructions does Circe give Odysseus?

Book XXIII

1. How does Penelopeia test Odysseus?
2. Why does she test him?
3. Describe the one last task that Tieresias told Odysseus to complete. What will be his reward for this task?
4. After Odysseus tells Penelopeia about all his adventures, he sets off again. What does he go to do? What does he tell Penelopeia to do?

“Prologue and Epilogue from The Odyssey”

1. Who is the speaker’s “main man”?
2. What is the speaker’s attitude toward this “main man”?
3. What type of music does the speaker sing?
4. Considering the loneliness, death, and defeat that occur in Homer’s Odyssey, why is the speaker’s musical style appropriate?
5. How is Penelope described in the Epilogue?
6. What seems to be the speaker’s attitude toward Penelope?
7. Overall, which elements from Homer’s Odyssey seem most interesting to Walcott?
8. Which details suggest that the poet felt a responsibility to show respect for Homer’s Odyssey?
9. Do you think Billy Blue feels responsible for sharing Odysseus’ story? Why or why not?

“There is a Longing”

1. What does Chief Dan George say is his community’s longing?
2. What is his greatest fear?
3. What training will the new warriors have to endure?
4. Why does Chief Dan George believe that this training is necessary?
5. In what way is Chief Dan George different from the “olden” chiefs?
6. What does the chief mean when he refers to fighting a war with “tongue and speech”?
7. Do you think the chief’s goal of achieving success through education and skills is the best means for improving his people’s lives? Explain.
8. Chief Dan George talks about fighting his people’s war with “tongue and speech.” Can someone who fights only with such weapons be a hero?

“Glory and Hope”

1. What does Nelson Mandela say is “newborn” in his country?
2. What emotion does the word “newborn” add to his remarks?
3. Into what “covenant” does Mandela say the South African people are now entering?
4. Which ideas in the speech are especially important for safeguarding the human rights of all people throughout today’s world?
5. What do the words “glory” and “hope” mean?
6. How does the title of the speech connect with the ideas that Mandela conveys?
7. Basing your answer on Mandela’s speech, what do you think was the new leader’s greatest challenge? Explain.
8. Based on what you know about Nelson Mandela from his speech, would you call him a hero? Explain.