PRE-READING 1. What is the difference between a fib and a lie, or is there any difference?
2. Can you think of any words that exist now, that may not have existed a few years ago (for example, meme)?
3. Sometimes words become obsolete (no longer used). Can you think of reasons why this happens?
COMPREHENDING AND RESPONDING
1. Who do you think Rich may be talking about when she writes ‘our’? Refer to the poem in support of your answer.
2. Explain the phrase ‘permissible fibs’ in your own words.
3. Do you think a ‘knot of lies’ would be an easy thing to untangle? Give reasons for your answer.
4. What do you think the poet means when she claims that words can become meaningless in the third stanza? Explain your answer with reference to the poem.
5. Who or what do you think ‘the oppressor’ in the fourth stanza might be?
6. Rich uses a powerful and disturbing simile in the last five lines of this poem. What impact did this simile have on you and what conclusions did you draw from it?
7. If you were to give a feminist interpretation of this poem, what would that interpretation be? Give reasons for your answer.
8. What theme or themes can you find in this poem? Refer to the poem in support of your answer.
CREATING
1. Write a speech for a national public speaking championship in which you urge the government and citizens of Ireland to talk less and do more to make Ireland a fairer and happier place to live.
2. Write a short story in which a letter that is never sent plays a pivotal role in the plot.
3. Write the script of a dialogue between two people who are struggling to understand one another. Your script may be serious, humorous or both.
4. Write a feature article for a popular magazine about the importance of being honest and the consequences of lies.
