RESPondinG Discussion Questions AnAlyzing VoiCe Read one of these poems aloud and describe the speaker’s voice. Support your response. Fight On Poem by Pauline Johnson Time and its ally, Dark Disarmament, Have compassed me about, Have massed their armies, and on battle bent My forces put to rout; But though I fight alone, and fall, and die, Talk terms of Peace? Not I. They war upon my fortress, and their guns Are shattering its walls; My army plays the cowards’ part, and runs, Pierced by a thousand balls; They call for my surrender. I reply, “Give quarter now? Not I.” They’ve shot my flag to ribbons, but in rents It floats above the height; Their ensign shall not crown my battlements While I can stand and fight. I fling defiance at them as I cry, “Capitulate? Not I.” And He Said, CompAring texts Compare and contrast the poems, examining their ideas, themes, values, and use of language, as well as how they connect to the theme of conflict. metACognition tasks What strategies and skills help you interpret poetry? DeVeloping tweets Choose one of the poems and imagine you are its speaker. Create a series of tweets for that person that captures the poem’s message or theme. presenting the poem anaLyzing context Reread this poem and consider the following information: Pauline Johnson wrote this poem shortly after doctors told her she was dying. She took her title from the poem “The Revenge: A Ballad of the Fleet” by Lord Alfred Tennyson. Choose one of these poems to present to your class. Prepare for the presentation by experimenting with volume, tone, pacing, emphasis, pauses, expression, and gestures. Before you begin, listen to some recordings of the poem. reseArCh AnD inqUiry Research the life and work of one of these poets. Prepare a presentation, including poems or other writings, a brief biography, and a conclusion about how the poet influenced others. about the authors Wilfred Owen (1893–1918) was one of the leading British poets of World War I. His realistic poetry about the horrors of war was very different from what other poets were writing about at the time. Owen was killed one week before World War I ended. Pauline Johnson (1861–1913), also known as Tekahionwake, was a popular Canadian poet and performer. She travelled all over Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom reciting her poetry. Her performances often celebrated her First Nations heritage and incorporated artifacts she inherited from her father, a Mohawk chief. NEL Dulce et Decorum est and And he said, Fight on 63