Ferlyn O.

Nepomuceno
12-SLDM

Post
Assessment
NOTING AND APPRECIATING LITERARY CRAFTSMANSHIP
Answer the following questions directly and briefly.

1. In both selections, the speakers make promises to the mother. Compare

these promises.

As I read the selections, I begin to notice differences in the promises they made.
On the first selection, the promises were a little sweeter, nicer, and more positive,
such as "I promised you peaceful sleep," however on the second selection, the
promises sounded desperate and a cry for help, such as "I promise I'll stop
kicking them if they do."
2. Which is more positive in tone?

The promises on the first selection sounded more positive than the promises on
the second.

3. Aside from the genre and form of the two texts, how else do they differ?

Aside from the genre and structure of the two writings, the two selections differ in
how they began. As I read the two selections, I note that the poem on "A Prayer
from the Womb" began with a question such as, "Why did you pull me off you,
when you knew I'd die without you?" and it just indicates that the tone of the
persona, in the beginning, is questioning her of her reasons for being torn from
her. While the second selection began with a greeting such as "Hi mom! How are
you?" and it shows that the tone of the persona, in the beginning, is excited and
hopeful, as opposed to the first option, it sounded happier and innocent.
4. Describe the persona in the poem.

This relates to my response to question number five; the two personas in the
poem share many similarities and differences, the first of which is how the
selection begins and ends. The first option begins with a query of "Why did you
remove me off you when you knew I'd die without you?" It seemed like the
persona was confused and blaming the mother for what she does, but it ended
with "I don't hold it against you mama. I'm sure you're aware of this now " The
character now sounded more forgiving and understanding. This, however, differs
from the second option, which began with a cheerful and innocent tone,
progressed to questioning and being desperate to be saved, and ended with the
same forgiving and understanding tone.
5. The second selection is presented in the form of a letter. What effect
does this achieve?

The second selection has the effect of a personal conversation, as it shows the
character conversing with his mother. It felt more real and sad imagining that the
discussion between the unborn kid and the mother was real since it sounded
more dramatic, and in my opinion, it delivers the message and emotion of the
text far more than the poem.

6. What words do the speakers in both selections use to refer to their

mother? What would the effect be if these terms of endearment were
replaced with a formal term such as “Mother?”

The speaker uses the word "Mama" to refer to its mother in the poem, and I think
it sounded more natural and innocent that way because I notice that a baby's first
endearment to its mother is usually "Mama," and every time a mother would
hears it, it felt sweet for her. In the second selection, the speaker refers to her
mother as "Mom," which has the same effect as the first but has a more mature
tone. However, if we alter the endearment to "Mother," I believe the tone will be
much stricter and formal, and it will not be appropriate for the text because it is
after all from an unborn kid.
7. What is the theme of the two selections?

The two selections figuratively reflect the imagined pain of newborns who have
been denied the gift of life. It is intended to make women aware that while having
a baby is the most difficult job, it is also the most gratifying. If both men and
women were merely humane enough not to engage in dangerous reproductive
practices when they aren't ready for parenting, abortion would be unnecessary.
The birth of a new life from a woman's womb is considered sacred. The world
would be a better place if there won't be any unborn angels crying.