Old folks laugh by Maya Angelou

Poem:              Old folks laugh by Maya Angelou

The poet takes a simple but poetic view at aging. One of the important things of growing old, she says, is that the elderly are no longer forced to hold their tongues; but they may say exactly what comes to mind. They are also free to laugh as they please.

They have spent their

content of simpering,

holding their lips this

and that way, winding

the lines between                                                                                             5

their brows. Old folks

Allow their bellies to jiggle like slow

tambourines.

The hollers

rise up and spill                                                                                                10

over any way they want.

When old folks laugh, they free the world.                                          

They turn slowly, slyly knowing

the best and the worst

of remembering.                                                                                              15

Saliva glistens in

the corners of their mouths,

their heads wobble

on brittle necks, but

their laps                                                                                                            20

are filled with memories.                                                                               

When old folks laugh, they consider the promise

of dear painless death, and generously

forgive life for happening

to them.                                                                                                              25

Questions:      

1.1          List one advantage and one disadvantage of aging as described in the poem.        (2)                                                             

1.2       What does the word “hollers”, line 9 refer to?                                               (2)              

1.3       ‘their bellies jiggled like slow tambourines’ (lines 7/8)

1.3.1    Identify the figure of speech in the above line.                                             (1)                                                                                        

1.3.2    Explain the effectiveness of this comparison.                                                           (2)

1.4       What does the poet mean when she says:

“When the old folks laugh, they free the world”?                                         (2)

1.5       Why do you think the poet uses colloquialisms such as “folk” and “holler”?  (1) 

Model answer:

1.1          List one advantage and one disadvantage of aging as described in the poem.        (2)                                                             

Learners responses can include the following: Advantages- Freedom to express life with all it has to offer. Disadvantages - Physical deterioration of body, loss of independence.

1.2       What does the word “hollers”, line 9 refer to?                                           (2)              

“Hollers” usually means “shouting out”. In this poem, however it means that the old folk’s laughter is loud, as if their laughter itself is shouting out.

1.3       ‘their bellies jiggled like slow tambourines’ (lines 7/8)

1.3.1    Identify the figure of speech in the above line.                                         (1)                                                                                        

Simile    (1)

1.3.2    Explain the effectiveness of this comparison.                                                       (2)

Tambourines quiver, just as their bellies do and also tambourines make a joyful sound- they are used for festivals and celebrations, which links to laughter.

1.4       What does the poet mean when she says

“When the old folks laugh, they free the world”?                                     (2)

Just as old folks feel free to laugh as they wish, so their laughter itself is refreshing. It is pleasant to be with people who have the freedom to enjoy themselves and don’t mind other people seeing it.

1.5       Why do you think the poet uses colloquialisms such as “folk” and “holler”?  (1) 

The poem sounds more direct and personal in this way.