“Hurt Hawks”

1. What has happened to the hawk prior to the poem?

2. What qualities does the speaker see in the hawk?

3. Identify the qualities of the speaker in the poem. What are his characteristics and what does he value?

4. Who is the wild God of the World?

5. How does the speaker regard most people? What proof do you have for your answer?

6. Theme means moral, truth, or central idea. What is the theme of this poem?

7. The speaker says “Pain is worse to the strong.”

Do you agree or disagree? Defend your answer.

8. According to the speaker, how are men and hawks alike?

9. What was your reaction and interpretation of line 18?

10. How is the speaker different for having befriended the hawk?

11. What has the hawk’s nature and death given to mankind? Is this valuable, necessary, or immaterial?

12. Why do some people have high regard for the rights of animals?

13. Was the speaker justified in killing the hawk?

14. What is your position on animal rights? What do you think about pets, furs, transplants, and animal experiments for cosmetic products, medicine, or behavioral science?