English III—Their Eyes Were Watching God
Chapter 6: Close Reading
1. Annotate the passage carefully:
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Re-read the passage before you begin. It comes from Chapter 6 (pages 71-72) when Janie has her
epiphany.
Place a box around any difficult or confusing words. Write the definition of these words in the
margins next to the sentence in which they occur.
Write questions you have in the margins. Include “I don’t get it” questions, “I wonder” questions,
and “How is this significant” questions.
Highlight all words and phrases that connect to the plant motif. In the margins, explain why
Hurston is using these words and how they explain what Janie is feeling.
Underline and label all pieces of figurative language that Hurston uses (other than the examples
that are part of the plant motif). In the margins, explain what the figurative language means and
why it’s being used.
Mark anything else you find that seems significant. Explain why.
2. Analyze the passage by responding to the questions below. Use supporting details from the
passage, and write your response in complete sentences on the reverse of this sheet.
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What is the significance of the plant motif in this passage? Consider how Hurston harkens back to
Janie’s awakening under the pear tree to describe a different kind of awakening.
How is Janie changing? Why are these changes important? Consider changes as an individual and as a
partner in a marriage. Also, how does Hurston use figurative language to suggest these changes?
Make a connection to Janie. When have you felt that same sense of disappointment? Of resigning
yourself to “handling” the situation? Explain. Is separating our “inside and…outside” an integral part of
growing up?
She wasn’t petal-open anymore with him. She was twenty-four and
seven years married when she knew. She found that out one day when
he slapped her face in the kitchen. It happened over one of those dinners
that chasten all women sometimes. They plan and they fix and they do,
and then some kitchen-dwelling fiend slips a scorchy, soggy, tasteless
mess into their pots and pans. Janie was a good cook, and Joe had looked
forward to his dinner as a refuge from other things. So when the bread
didn’t quite rise, and the fish wasn’t quite done at the bone, and the rice
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was scorched, he slapped Janie until she had a ringing sound in her ears
and told her about her brains before he stalked back to the store.
Janie stood where he left her for unmeasured time and thought. She
stood there until something fell off the shelf inside her. Then she went
inside there to see what it was. It was her image of Jody tumbled down
and shattered. But looking at it she saw that it never was the flesh and
blood figure of her dreams. Just something she had grabbed up to drape
her dreams over. In a way she turned her back upon the image where it
lay and looked further. She had no more blossomy openings dusting
pollen over her man, neither any glistening young fruit where the petals
used to be. She found that she had a host of thoughts she had never
expressed to him, and numerous emotions she had never let Jody know
about. Things packed up and put away in parts of her heart where he
could never find them. She was saving up feelings for some man she had
never seen. She had an inside and an outside now and suddenly she knew
not to mix them.
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Phenomenal Woman
by Maya Angelou
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
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Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need for my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
© by owner. Added by volunteers for educational purposes and provided at no charge. Dmca - See more at: http://allpoetry.com/PhenomenalWoman#sthash.i64zyYeQ.dpuf
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Citing Evidence
CCR.RI.1 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Directions: Complete an initial close read of the text with a partner, or whole class. After reading the text, use the table to record data as you complete a
second read of the text independently. Select and write down specific phrases or sentences from the text and explain the significance of each.
Specific Phrase or Sentence (Evidence)
Analysis or Inference
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Name: _________________________________
Period: _______
Date: ________________
Academic Discourse
Topic for discussion: _________________________________________
My Thoughts…
My Partner’s Thoughts…
Now write a one paragraph summary about today’s topic. Use valid reasoning and relevant evidence to support your claim. Include ideas that came from
your conversation with your partner in your analysis.
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