Question

Briefly explain the main idea of Evie Shockley’s poem called “from The Lost Letters of Frederick Douglass.” Make inferences drawn from the text and cite text evidence to support your answer.

Answer 1

The main idea of Evie Shockley’s poem “From The Lost Letters of Frederick Douglass” is the power of language and literature to bring about social change. The poem speaks of the power of the written word to “shape the world” and to “speak truth to power” (lines 5-6). The poem also speaks of how language can be used to “unlock the secrets of the past” (line 14). This implies that literature can be used to uncover and remember the stories of those who have been forgotten or marginalized by society. The poem ends with the idea that literature can be used to “give voice to the voiceless” (line 21), suggesting that literature can be used to empower those who have been silenced by society. This idea is further supported by the poem’s reference to “the letters of Frederick Douglass” (line 2), which serves to remind readers of the power of literature to bring about social change.

Step-by-step explanation: