Part 1: Listen to the Poem
🎧 Instructions: Before we start reading, listen to this beautiful reading of the poem. Pay attention to the rhythm and how the reader uses their voice to tell the story!
Part 2: Understand the Story
💡 Instructions: Now let's read the poem together. Click the yellow highlighted words to learn what they mean. Click the "Explain Stanza" button to see a translation of what is happening in each part of the poem!
I went out to the hazel wood,
Because a fire was in my head,
And cut and peeled a hazel wand,
And hooked a berry to a thread;
And when white moths were on the wing,
And moth-like stars were flickering out,
I dropped the berry in a stream
And caught a little silver trout.
Meaning: I went to the forest because my mind felt restless and passionate. I made a fishing rod out of a tree branch, tied a berry to a string, and went fishing early in the morning just as the stars were fading. I ended up catching a small silver fish.
When I had laid it on the floor
I went to blow the fire aflame,
But something rustled on the floor,
And someone called me by my name:
It had become a glimmering girl
With apple blossom in her hair
Who called me by my name and ran
And faded through the brightening air.
Meaning: I put the fish on the floor and went to start a fire to cook it. Suddenly, I heard a noise. The fish had magically transformed into a glowing, beautiful girl with flowers in her hair! She called my name and then disappeared into the morning daylight.
Though I am old with wandering
Through hollow lands and hilly lands,
I will find out where she has gone,
And kiss her lips and take her hands;
And walk among long dappled grass,
And pluck till time and times are done,
The silver apples of the moon,
The golden apples of the sun.
Meaning: Even though I am now an old man who has traveled all over the world, I will keep searching for her. When I finally find her, we will be together forever in a magical, beautiful place, picking eternal glowing fruits from the sun and moon.
Part 3: Explore Figurative Language
🎨 Instructions: Poets use special language to paint pictures in our minds. Click the purple highlighted phrases below to discover the metaphors, similes, and imagery hiding in the poem!
I went out to the hazel wood,
Because a fire was in my head,
And cut and peeled a hazel wand,
And hooked a berry to a thread;
And when white moths were on the wing,
And moth-like stars were flickering out,
I dropped the berry in a stream
And caught a little silver trout.
When I had laid it on the floor
I went to blow the fire aflame,
But something rustled on the floor,
And someone called me by my name:
It had become a glimmering girl
With apple blossom in her hair
Who called me by my name and ran
And faded through the brightening air.
Though I am old with wandering
Through hollow lands and hilly lands,
I will find out where she has gone,
And kiss her lips and take her hands;
And walk among long dappled grass,
And pluck till time and times are done,
The silver apples of the moon,
The golden apples of the sun.
Part 4: Critical Thinking & Textual Analysis
🧠 Instructions: Test your deep understanding of the text! These questions focus on Telling Details, Pivotal Words and Phrases, Compelling Evidence, and Powerful Openings. Click an answer to get instant feedback. When you finish all 10, click "See Your Grade!" at the bottom!
Pivotal Words
1. What does the phrase "a fire was in my head" suggest about the speaker's state of mind?
1. What does the phrase "a fire was in my head" suggest about the speaker's state of mind?
Telling Details
2. Why is the speaker's use of a "hazel wand" and a "berry" significant instead of normal fishing gear?
2. Why is the speaker's use of a "hazel wand" and a "berry" significant instead of normal fishing gear?
Compelling Evidence
3. Which detail from the poem provides the best evidence that the setting has crossed from reality into magic?
3. Which detail from the poem provides the best evidence that the setting has crossed from reality into magic?
Powerful Openings
4. How does the opening line, "I went out to the hazel wood," establish the tone for the rest of the poem?
4. How does the opening line, "I went out to the hazel wood," establish the tone for the rest of the poem?
Textual Analysis
5. What happens immediately after the speaker turns away to "blow the fire aflame"?
5. What happens immediately after the speaker turns away to "blow the fire aflame"?
Pivotal Phrases
6. In the final stanza, what do "The silver apples of the moon, / The golden apples of the sun" most likely represent?
6. In the final stanza, what do "The silver apples of the moon, / The golden apples of the sun" most likely represent?
Critical Thinking
7. Why is it significant that the girl "faded through the brightening air"?
7. Why is it significant that the girl "faded through the brightening air"?
Telling Details
8. The speaker states he is "old with wandering." What does this powerful detail reveal about his quest?
8. The speaker states he is "old with wandering." What does this powerful detail reveal about his quest?
Textual Analysis
9. What major contrast is created between the events of the first stanza and the events of the last stanza?
9. What major contrast is created between the events of the first stanza and the events of the last stanza?
Compelling Evidence
10. Which phrase provides the most compelling evidence that the speaker believes his search will extend into eternity?
10. Which phrase provides the most compelling evidence that the speaker believes his search will extend into eternity?