“Fifteen” William Stafford

1. “Fifteen” William Stafford

2. Literary Analysis Question #1 • How does the writer use personification to bring the motorcycle to life?

3. Answer • He uses personification by saying that the motorcycle had demure headlights, and he says that the motorcycle roared away. This is personification because he says that the motorcycle was loud and had modest headlights, which are human characteristics, which brings that motorcycle to life.

4. Literary Analysis Question #2 • Where is the imagery in this poem?

5. Answer • The imagery is in the last stanza. • “He had blood on his hand, was pale- I helped him walk to his machine. He ran his hand over it, called me a good man, roared away.”

6. Literary Analysis Question #3 • What happened to the speaker in “Fifteen”?

7. Answer • He helped a man who fell off his motorcycle.

8. Figures of Speech • “Motorcycle with engine running as it lay on its side.” • The motorcycle was on, not physically running.

9. Sensory Details • “Pulsing gleam” • This is used to show how the reflection of the motorcycle in the sun.

10. Metaphor • “Stood with that companion.” • The author is comparing the motorcycle to a friend.