Question

Read the following passage from Audre Lorde’s poem “Hanging Fire” and answer the question.

Nobody even stops to think

about my side of it

I should have been on Math Team

my marks were better than his

why do I have to be

the one wearing braces

I have nothing to wear tomorrow

will I live long enough

to grow up

and momma’s in the bedroom with the door closed.

What can we infer from the lines “and momma’s in the bedroom/with the door closed”? Select all that apply.

There might be something wrong.
The closed door suggests separation and distance.
The speaker feels abandoned and alone.
The speaker is happy the door is closed.

Answer 1

There might be something wrong.
The closed door suggests separation and distance.
The speaker feels abandoned and alone.
The speaker is happy the door is closed.

Answer 2

The closed door suggests separation and distance.

The speaker feels abandoned and alone.

Step-by-step explanation:

In "Hanging Fire," Lorde presents a poem that describes the life of a teenager. She does this effectively by using the type of language that a girl this age would use. Moreover, she talks about experiences that are common during these early years. Towards the end of this passage, the speaker says that her mother is in the bedroom with her door closed. This closed door suggests that there is a barrier between both characters, and that this makes the author feel abandoned and alone.