“Words Like Freedom” by Langston Hughes

1. Freedom vs. Liberty (comparison) a) 1st Stanza – Freedom

Feels joyful Evidence: “Sweet”, “wonderful”, “heartstrings”, “sings”

b) 2nd Stanza – Liberty

Feels sad Evidence: “cry”, “If you had known what I know, you would know why.”

2. Does he say in his poem that “freedom” and “liberty” are the same?

a) Use background information -slavery

-before the civil rights movement -discrimination

3. Is freedom a feeling?

a) If freedom is feeling, it is in your control b) You can still feel free in prison (in your mind, in your thoughts)

4. What is liberty?

a) a symbol b) rules c) Constitution

Freedom vs. Liberty

Freedom is controlled by you vs. Liberty is