English II Honors
Name: __________________________________________________________
Period: __________
“Woman” by Nikki Giovanni p. 259
Directions: In the left column, write a paraphrase of the poem. In the right, analyze the poet’s use of poetic devices and their effect. For
this poem, focus specifically on figurative language (metaphor, simile, personification)
PARAPHRASE
#
POEM
She wanted to be a blade
Of grass amid the fields
But he wouldn’t agree
To be the dandelion
5
10
15
She wanted to be a robin singing
Through the leaves
But he refused to be
Her tree
She spun herself into a web
And
looking for a place to rest
Turned to him
But he stood straight
Declining to be her corner
She tried to be a book
But he wouldn’t read
She turned herself into a bulb
But he wouldn’t let her grow
20
She decided to become
A woman
And though he still refused
To be a man
She decided it was all
Right
ANALYSIS
Partner Writing Activity:

Complete a paragraph length response to the following: How does Nikki Giovanni use metaphors to express her ideas about the
woman who is the subject of the poem?
Individual Homework: Person as Inanimate Object Poem




Choose five people (or groups of people) that you know and match each to a different inanimate object (furniture, appliances,
etc.)
Complete a venn-diagram for at least three of the pairs, completing five entries in the middle of each.
Write a poem of at least twenty-five words, using images that compare one person to one of the objects
See the model below:
Banana
She stands
With her rounded back,
Long blonde hair.
And matching yellow dress.
It's unlikely
She would ever be found alone.
One of the bunch
As she laughs with her friends.
She looks happy.
But is she?
Her insides are soft.
She bruises easily,
Her skin and heart
Turning black with
Every blow.
-Hannah Rasmussen