Just like Job

Question 1

The speaker has a…

Answer 1

deep desire for divine love

Question 2

Angelou presents a metaphorical journey…

Answer 2

through adversity, which faith empowers us to confront

Question 3

5 Big Ideas

Answer 3

• When an individual questions faith, they experience distress and suffering
• Faith endures through the hardships of life
• Obedience and reliance is a part of faith
• Speaker finds joy and can over come challenges through religion
• Experiencing faith is different for everyone

Question 4

“My Lord, my lord”

Answer 4

The repetition highlights the speaker´s urgency and anguished tone.

The frequent invocation of God´s name is a central motif in the poem -> It emphasises the significance of prayer during moments of adversities.

Question 5

Lexical field of suffering: “cried”, “screams”

Answer 5

Dramatizes the speaker´s distress as he “searche[s] the heavens for [God]”

Question 6

“My screams searched the heavens for Thee”

(look closely at the personification of “Screams”)

Answer 6

The metaphor portrays the speaker´s longing for divine connection.

“Screams” is personified:
(meaning that the have become an entity)
to emphatically convey the speaker´s desperate attempts in trying to obtain an answer from God in order to achieve spiritual fulfilment and understanding.

Question 7

Universal message:

Answer 7

Highlights the intrinsic nature of human desire which is to find solace and guidance from a divine source.

Question 8

“sun” and “moon”

Answer 8

The celestial imagery represents the speaker´s ongoing search, even though there may be bad days

Question 9

“Rags and bones / were all I owned.”

Answer 9

The affirmative tone in the imagery illustrates how the speaker maintained his faith even though he was reduced to nothing.

Question 10

“Rags and bones”
(imagery and sibilance)

Answer 10

Imagery : Highlight the speaker´s poverty and suffering.

Sibilance : Tiredness and exhaustion brought upon the speaker as he is constantly pleading for a response.

Question 11

“were all I owned”

Answer 11

Short length gives a visual representation of the little amount the speaker owns.

Question 12

“My life give I gladly to Thee”

Answer 12

Inverted syntax + Archaic language : Follows the same style as Biblical and Religious phrases. It is also a sign of respect and formality.

Question 13

The adverb, “Gladly”, portrays the speaker´s…

Answer 13

willingness to sacrifice his life for God. This highlights the speaker´s selflessness and loyalty.

Question 14

“Deep rivers ahead / High mountains above”

Answer 14

Familiar metaphor for adversity.

Speaker acknowledges that life will present many challenges and he embraces them willingly as he knows that his faith in God will help him prevail over the hardships in life.

Question 15

“Deep” and “High”

Answer 15

The adjectives depict the obstacles the speaker has yet to face

Question 16

Enjambment in : “Deep rivers ahead / High mountains above”

Answer 16

Mirrors the water flowing in the river.
This symbolises the never ending stream of challenges the speaker has to face.

Question 17

“But fears gather round like wolves in the dark”

Answer 17

The simile, with predatorial imagery, connotes that the speaker is haunted by his fears.

Question 18

“gather round”

Answer 18

There is no escape. He is trapped

Question 19

“wolves in the dark”

Answer 19

Familiar fear

Question 20

The adjective “dark”…

Answer 20

heightens the speaker´s sense of solitude and loneliness. It also references God´s absence as the speaker calls out to him.

Question 21

“Wolves”

Answer 21

Posses menacing and threatening connotations. Speaker seeks God´s protection, and this is shown in the anaphora as he cries : “Oh, Lord”

Question 22

“Have you forgotten my name?”

Answer 22

Speaker feels frustrated at his abandonment.
The rhetorical question produces an accusatory tone - He doesn´t feel heard.

Alludes to Jesus’ last words on the cross

Question 23

Deeper implication of : “Have you forgotten my name?”

Answer 23

The biggest challenges we face in religion is being able to overcome the feelings of isolation. We must not question whether God has forsaken us.

Question 24

“You said”

Answer 24

Structural parallelism portrays God´s authority in the speaker´s life

Question 25

“You” (from “You said”)

Answer 25

The direct address portrays the speaker´s complaints.

Speaker feels distraught as he has shown and demonstrated his obedience to all of God´s commands. He also feels doubtful as he doesn´t know what more he should do to prove his loyalty to God and to earn God´s love.

However, his trust and belief is unwavering.

Question 26

The series of gerunds : “leaning”, “trusting”, “calling”

Answer 26

Represent the speaker´s acts of faith

Question 27

“leaning”

Answer 27

Emotional connection and physical connection / support

Question 28

“trusting”

Answer 28

Speaker acknowledges that to earn God´s love, he must surrender to his commands.

Question 29

“calling”

Answer 29

Intimacy of divine / spiritual communication

Question 30

“I´m stepping out on Your word.”

Answer 30

Metaphor (+ refrain) for personal growth and transformation - As well as profound commitment and unwavering faith.

Question 31

“stepping out”

Answer 31

Vulnerability and innocence.

The line interlaces throughout the poem and may symbolise the speaker´s attempts at reassuring himself that there is a higher power that will guide him through hardships.

D.I.: Desperately attempts to hide his doubt.

Question 32

FINAL STANZA is a…

Answer 32

metaphorical journey of modern-day adversities.
The imagery of the city and its dangers further establishes the speaker´s everlasting faith and the safety it grants him as he ventures through life.
Similar to the biblical story, “Just like Job” ; Job faces terrible suffering and challenges to his faith. However, he maintained his belief in God.

Question 33

Universal Message…The speaker is similar to Job as he remains…

Answer 33

completely devoted to God. This encourages readers to share the same profound religious belief.

Question 34

“Into”, “And”, “Past”

Answer 34

The repeated prepositions produce a rhythmic cadence that resonates more with readers.
The prepositions also highlight the many distinct pathways a person might take in order to find spiritual connection.

Question 35

“Past the liars and the cheaters and the gamblers”

Answer 35

Imagery -> New character are introduced.
Symbolises societal changes and ethical dilemmas.

Question 36

Sibilance in : “Past the liars and the cheaters and the gamblers”

Answer 36

Characterises the city and the people as cruel. This highlights the dangers in life

Question 37

The asyndetic listing in : “Past the liars and the cheaters and the gamblers”

Answer 37

Adds momentum and pace to the journey.
Further highlighting the extent of the challenges faced.