Eighth Grade Medusa
by Anonymous
She's six feet tall
with ruby red plaited hair
and limbs like giant oaks.
But her voice—
5 so syrupy sweet
drew me in like a fly to flypaper.
"You're so brave," she cooed, her polished pointer finger touching my elfish nose.
"I bet you're the only one in the whole school that can go into the office and retrieve my hockey stick."
Involuntarily, I felt my head nod in agreement—
10 Though I knew not why.
The stick—her stick—was in the office for a reason.
The whole school—and the poor tulips in the greenhouse—knew the offense.
During lunch I went to do her bidding.
No one in the office even glanced my way.
15 I wrapped my sweaty hand around the wooden stick—
but then let go.
I would not be her pawn.
In class she called my name—so very sweetly
Do not turn around
20 Do not turn around
I begged myself—but her voice
was like an angel and I couldn't help it—
And then that Medusa gave me such a look,
I would've rather turned to stone.
How does the setting affect the poem's theme?
A.
It suggests that schools are good places to have greenhouses.
B.
It shows that teachers encourage their students to use kind words.
C.
It confirms that beautiful people are found all over the world.
D.
It reveals that cunning people can be found in everyday places.
D. It reveals that cunning people can be found in everyday places.
D. It reveals that cunning people can be found in everyday places. The setting of the poem, which is in a school, shows that the theme of the poem is centered around the presence of a cunning and manipulative individual in an ordinary and everyday environment.
To determine how the setting affects the poem's theme, we need to analyze the details provided in the poem. The setting is described as a school, specifically the office and the classroom. These specific locations are important to understanding the theme of the poem.
The theme of the poem seems to revolve around power dynamics and manipulation. This is evident through the character of Medusa, who is described as tall and powerful with a sweet voice that draws the narrator in. The narrator is compelled to follow her instructions, even though they know it is not the right thing to do. This suggests a struggle with authority and the pressure to conform to someone else's desires.
The setting of a school highlights the power dynamics between students and teachers, as well as the influence and control that some individuals may exert within this environment. The mention of the office and the narrator being sent there to retrieve Medusa's hockey stick implies that the authority figures in the school are oblivious to the manipulation happening. This reinforces the theme of cunning people being found in everyday places, as mentioned in option D.
Therefore, the answer is D. It reveals that cunning people can be found in everyday places.