Illustration accompanying the poem "Operating Room" by John Reed, depicting medical professionals in an operating room.
Black and white illustration of two men in medical attire, one pointing at a monitor displaying a surgical scene, in a hospital setting.
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Figurative Language Poems with Questions
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Figurative Language Poems with Questions
Here are the answers to the review questions based on the poem "Operating Room" by John Reed.
1. Identify one example of simile: explain which two things are being compared.
* Example: "...swagger like murderers" (Line 6).
* Explanation: The poet compares the orderlies (hospital attendants) to murderers. He uses the word "like" to show that the way the orderlies walk or act looks similar to how criminals might walk.
2. Identify one example of metaphor: explain which two things are being compared.
* Example: "Sunlight floods the shiny many-windowed place" (Line 1).
* Explanation: The poet compares sunlight to a flood of water. Instead of saying the sun shines in, he says it "floods," suggesting it fills the room completely and powerfully, just like water filling a space.
* *(Alternative Answer: "Spattered gules" is a metaphor comparing blood stains to red paint or heraldic symbols).*
3. Case 4001 has likely come to what realization? Support your answer with textual evidence.
* Realization: The patient realizes that his life has changed permanently and negatively; he is no longer whole.
* Evidence: The text says he was "Born again half a man, to spend his life in bed." This suggests he lost a part of his body or ability and will be disabled for the rest of his life.
4. Identify one example of hyperbole: explain what is being exaggerated.
* Example: "Screaming mounts crescendo" (Line 7).
* Explanation: This exaggerates the loudness of the pain or noise. A "crescendo" is a musical term for getting louder and louder. By saying the screaming "mounts" (climbs) to a crescendo, the poet exaggerates how intense and overwhelming the sound of the patient's pain is as they wake up.
5. What is the subject of this poem? What is this poem about? Explain your response.
* Subject: The subject is an operating room in a hospital.
* About: The poem is about the contrast between the cold, clean, professional environment of the doctors and the messy, painful reality of the patient. It describes the scene before, during, and after a surgery, highlighting how routine the procedure is for the staff but life-changing for the patient.
6. What is the tone of this poem? How does the speaker treat the subject of the poem? Refer to text.
* Tone: The tone is cold, detached, and slightly cynical.
* Explanation: The speaker treats the subject without much emotion. For example, the surgeons are described as "gossiping of guts" and wishing it were lunch time. This shows the speaker views the medical staff as somewhat careless or bored, rather than heroic. Words like "coldly glinting" and "flawless steel" also create a cold atmosphere.
7. What is the mood of this poem? How does this poem make you feel? Refer to text in your response.
* Mood: The mood is unsettling, tense, and clinical.
* Explanation: The poem makes the reader feel uneasy because it mixes normal things (sunlight, gossip) with scary things (blood, screaming, "murderers"). The image of the patient waking up as "half a man" creates a feeling of sadness or horror.
8. What does this line “Lounge gossiping of guts, and wish it were lunch-time” reveal about the surgeons? Explain your answer.
* Revelation: It reveals that the surgeons are desensitized (used to it) and perhaps arrogant.
* Explanation: To them, the surgery is just a job. They are casually talking about internal organs ("guts") as if they are chatting about the weather, and they are more interested in eating lunch than the serious nature of their work. It shows a lack of empathy for the patient.
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Final Answer:
1. Simile: "Swagger like murderers." Compares orderlies to murderers.
2. Metaphor: "Sunlight floods." Compares sunlight to water/flooding.
3. Realization: He is permanently damaged/disabled. Evidence: "Born again half a man."
4. Hyperbole: "Screaming mounts crescendo." Exaggerates the intensity/volume of the pain.
5. Subject/About: An operating room; the contrast between the doctors' casual attitude and the patient's trauma.
6. Tone: Cold/Detached. The speaker observes the scene objectively, noting the doctors' boredom.
7. Mood: Unsettling/Clinical. The mix of sterile imagery and human suffering creates tension.
8. Surgeons: They are desensitized and view surgery as a routine chore rather than a serious medical event.
1. Identify one example of simile: explain which two things are being compared.
* Example: "...swagger like murderers" (Line 6).
* Explanation: The poet compares the orderlies (hospital attendants) to murderers. He uses the word "like" to show that the way the orderlies walk or act looks similar to how criminals might walk.
2. Identify one example of metaphor: explain which two things are being compared.
* Example: "Sunlight floods the shiny many-windowed place" (Line 1).
* Explanation: The poet compares sunlight to a flood of water. Instead of saying the sun shines in, he says it "floods," suggesting it fills the room completely and powerfully, just like water filling a space.
* *(Alternative Answer: "Spattered gules" is a metaphor comparing blood stains to red paint or heraldic symbols).*
3. Case 4001 has likely come to what realization? Support your answer with textual evidence.
* Realization: The patient realizes that his life has changed permanently and negatively; he is no longer whole.
* Evidence: The text says he was "Born again half a man, to spend his life in bed." This suggests he lost a part of his body or ability and will be disabled for the rest of his life.
4. Identify one example of hyperbole: explain what is being exaggerated.
* Example: "Screaming mounts crescendo" (Line 7).
* Explanation: This exaggerates the loudness of the pain or noise. A "crescendo" is a musical term for getting louder and louder. By saying the screaming "mounts" (climbs) to a crescendo, the poet exaggerates how intense and overwhelming the sound of the patient's pain is as they wake up.
5. What is the subject of this poem? What is this poem about? Explain your response.
* Subject: The subject is an operating room in a hospital.
* About: The poem is about the contrast between the cold, clean, professional environment of the doctors and the messy, painful reality of the patient. It describes the scene before, during, and after a surgery, highlighting how routine the procedure is for the staff but life-changing for the patient.
6. What is the tone of this poem? How does the speaker treat the subject of the poem? Refer to text.
* Tone: The tone is cold, detached, and slightly cynical.
* Explanation: The speaker treats the subject without much emotion. For example, the surgeons are described as "gossiping of guts" and wishing it were lunch time. This shows the speaker views the medical staff as somewhat careless or bored, rather than heroic. Words like "coldly glinting" and "flawless steel" also create a cold atmosphere.
7. What is the mood of this poem? How does this poem make you feel? Refer to text in your response.
* Mood: The mood is unsettling, tense, and clinical.
* Explanation: The poem makes the reader feel uneasy because it mixes normal things (sunlight, gossip) with scary things (blood, screaming, "murderers"). The image of the patient waking up as "half a man" creates a feeling of sadness or horror.
8. What does this line “Lounge gossiping of guts, and wish it were lunch-time” reveal about the surgeons? Explain your answer.
* Revelation: It reveals that the surgeons are desensitized (used to it) and perhaps arrogant.
* Explanation: To them, the surgery is just a job. They are casually talking about internal organs ("guts") as if they are chatting about the weather, and they are more interested in eating lunch than the serious nature of their work. It shows a lack of empathy for the patient.
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Final Answer:
1. Simile: "Swagger like murderers." Compares orderlies to murderers.
2. Metaphor: "Sunlight floods." Compares sunlight to water/flooding.
3. Realization: He is permanently damaged/disabled. Evidence: "Born again half a man."
4. Hyperbole: "Screaming mounts crescendo." Exaggerates the intensity/volume of the pain.
5. Subject/About: An operating room; the contrast between the doctors' casual attitude and the patient's trauma.
6. Tone: Cold/Detached. The speaker observes the scene objectively, noting the doctors' boredom.
7. Mood: Unsettling/Clinical. The mix of sterile imagery and human suffering creates tension.
8. Surgeons: They are desensitized and view surgery as a routine chore rather than a serious medical event.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of poetry reading worksheet.
