Before reading the poem and responding to the questions below ...

World Lit I
Poetry: “Serene Words” – Gabriela Mistral
Name(s): _________________________
________________________________
Before reading the poem and responding to the questions below, read the
biographical information in your textbook (p558) about the poet, Gabriela
Mistral, and fill in the ‘author information’ in your South American
Literature unit worksheet packet.
After reading the poem, “Serene Words”, on page 559, discuss the ideas
below and respond to the following questions.
1. What do the following words mean?
Serene:
Glean:
Gall:
Turmoil:
2. Find two examples of METAPHOR and PERSONIFICATION from the poem:
(1) Metaphor:
(2) Metaphor:
(1) Personification:
(2) Personification:
3. To what does the speaker compare life? (There are many things, but they all fall into one broad
category.)
4. What things mentioned in the poem contribute to the hardship of life?
5. What things mentioned in the poem give the speaker comfort, emotional support, or
contribute to a calm and peaceful life experience?

6. How old is the speaker in this poem?
7. To what extent, if any, does the speaker’s age affect his/her feelings? How might the speaker’s
point of view be different if he/she were a child? …or a senior citizen?
8. What is the THEME of the poem? In other words, what is the speaker’s attitude toward life?
(Use evidence/examples from the poem to explain your answer.)
9. How does Mistral’s use of this CONTRAST in this poem impact the poem’s THEME or
meaning? (Hint: See question 3 and 4 above for examples of contrasting elements.)
10. Individual Reflection: Who or what gives you comfort when you need it, for example, a
particular person, music, reading, exercise, or a pet? How does this person/thing/activity
influence and help shape your outlook on life?