Grape Sherbet

“Grape Sherbet” ~ Rita Dove

The Day? Memorial. Tue. 2/7/12 After the grill “Grape Sherbet” by Rita Dove Dad appears with his masterpiece – Answer the analysis questions in complete swirled snow, gelled light. sentences. We cheer. The recipe’s 1. What is the poem about? a secret and he fights 2. Who is the speaker? What other characters a smile, his cap turned up are involved? so the bib resembles a duck. 3. Where does the poem take place? 4. What event or situation is described? That morning we galloped 5. What is the main idea or message of the through the grassed-over mounds poem? 6. Why do you think the speaker remembers and named each stone this particular day? for a lost milk tooth. Each dollop 7. How has the way the speaker thinks about of sherbet, later, her father’s homemade sherbet changed is a miracle, over time? like salt on a melon that makes it sweeter. 8. What does “I’ve been trying / to remember the taste, / but it doesn’t exist” mean? Everyone agrees – it’s wonderful! 9. Find all examples of figurative language in It’s just how we imagined lavender “Grape Sherbet.” would taste. The diabetic grandmother 10. What imagery stands out to you? Find 2 examples. stares from the porch, a torch of pure refusal.

We thought no one was lying there under our feet, we thought it was a joke. I’ve been trying to remember the taste, but it doesn’t exist. Now I see why you bothered, father.