- 1
Describe the fundamental conflict at the center of the poem.
Students should note that the house where the tenant lives is in poor condition. The landlord refuses to do the repair unless the tenant pays him; the tenant says that they will only pay if the landlord does the repairs. The landlord threatens to evict the tenant. Someone threatens violence (this will be discussed further in the next Thought Question), and the landlord calls the police on the tenant. The tenant is arrested and ultimately sentenced to 90 days in jail.
- 2
Who is the speaker of the fifth stanza ("Um-huh! You talking high and mighty…")? How do you know?
Students are likely to assume at...
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