Language in 'Sweetness'

In this lesson, we will look at Toni Morrison's use of language in 'Sweetness'. We will think about how Morrison presents feelings towards Lula Ann, Sweetness' child. We will also practise how to write a piece of analysis of a small extract from the text.

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Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.What does the term 'segregation' mean?

The action or state of setting someone or something apart from others.Unjust or harmful treatment of other people based on a perceived difference.Prejudice or discrimination against individuals who are dark skinned, typically, but not exclusively, among people of the same ethnic or racial group.A set of laws according to which a country is governed.

1/5

Q2.What does the term 'discrimination' mean?

The action or state of setting someone or something apart from others.Prejudice or discrimination against individuals who are dark skinned, typically, but not exclusively, among people of the same ethnic or racial group.Unjust or harmful treatment of other people based on a perceived difference.A set of laws according to which a country is governed.

2/5

Q3.What does the term 'colourism' mean?

A set of laws according to which a country is governed.The action or state of setting someone or something apart from others.Prejudice or discrimination against individuals who are dark skinned, typically, but not exclusively, among people of the same ethnic or racial group.Unjust or harmful treatment of other people based on a perceived difference.

3/5

Q4.What does the term 'constitution' mean?

Prejudice or discrimination against individuals who are dark skinned, typically, but not exclusively, among people of the same ethnic or racial group.Unjust or harmful treatment of other people based on a perceived difference.A set of laws according to which a country is governed.The action or state of setting someone or something apart from others.

4/5

Q5.Which pronouns indicate a writer is writing in the 'first person'?

I, weYouHe, she, it, they

5/5

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.What does the term 'segregation' mean?

1/5

Q2.What does the term 'discrimination' mean?

2/5

Q3.What does the term 'colourism' mean?

3/5

Q4.What does the term 'constitution' mean?

4/5

Q5.Which pronouns indicate a writer is writing in the 'first person'?

I, weYouHe, she, it, they

5/5

Video

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This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

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Quiz:

2 - Language in Toni Morrison's 'Sweetness'

Complete the quiz to find out how much you have understood from today's lesson:

Q1.Which term is defined as 'the action or state of setting someone or something apart from others'?

DiscriminationSegregationColourismPrejudice

1/6

Q2.Which term is defined as 'unjust or harmful treatment of other people based on a perceived difference'?

DiscriminationSegregationColourismPrejudice

2/6

Q3.Which term is defined as 'prejudice or discrimination against individuals who are dark skinned, typically, but not exclusively, among people of the same ethnic or racial group'?

ConstitutionColourismRacismPrejudice

3/6

Q4.What is a simile?

A comparison between two different things, usually made by stating something is something else.Giving human feelings and actions to an object or an idea.Where one uses ‘like’ or ‘as’ to compare two different things and show a common quality between them.

4/6

Q5.Which statement best describes Louis' reaction to Lula Ann, the baby?

He feels a sense of devotion.He feels a sense of sadness.He feels a sense of love.He feels a sense of fear.

5/6

Q6.What is 'It broke our marriage to pieces' an example of?

SimileMetaphorPersonificationThird person narrative

6/6

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

2 - Language in Toni Morrison's 'Sweetness'

Complete the quiz to find out how much you have understood from today's lesson:

Q1.Which term is defined as 'the action or state of setting someone or something apart from others'?

DiscriminationSegregationColourismPrejudice

1/6

Q2.Which term is defined as 'unjust or harmful treatment of other people based on a perceived difference'?

DiscriminationSegregationColourismPrejudice

2/6

Q3.Which term is defined as 'prejudice or discrimination against individuals who are dark skinned, typically, but not exclusively, among people of the same ethnic or racial group'?

ConstitutionColourismRacismPrejudice

3/6

Q4.What is a simile?

4/6

Q5.Which statement best describes Louis' reaction to Lula Ann, the baby?

He feels a sense of devotion.He feels a sense of sadness.He feels a sense of love.He feels a sense of fear.

5/6

Q6.What is 'It broke our marriage to pieces' an example of?

SimileMetaphorPersonificationThird person narrative

6/6

Lesson summary: Language in 'Sweetness'

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The next lesson in:
Contemporary Short Stories (2/2): Sweetness by Toni Morrison
is:
A reflection on love and guilt in 'Sweetness'

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Language in 'Sweetness'

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Video

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

2 - Language in Toni Morrison's 'Sweetness'

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

2 - Language in Toni Morrison's 'Sweetness'

Lesson summary: Language in 'Sweetness'

It looks like you have not completed one of the quizzes.

Time to move!

The next lesson in: Contemporary Short Stories (2/2): Sweetness by Toni Morrison is: A reflection on love and guilt in 'Sweetness'

Browse Oak's lessons:

The next lesson in:
Contemporary Short Stories (2/2): Sweetness by Toni Morrison
is:
A reflection on love and guilt in 'Sweetness'