Half-Hanged Mary Questions and Answers
Half-Hanged Mary
What two types of prayers does the character refer to in "Half-Hanged Mary", and what is her prayer?
In "Half-Hanged Mary," the character refers to two types of prayers: the desperate plea for life made under duress and the conventional bedtime prayer. The former, which Mary experiences, is an...
Half-Hanged Mary
Who are "the bonnets" in "Half-Hanged Mary" and why are they afraid?
In "Half-Hanged Mary," "the bonnets" refer to the Puritan women in the community, represented by their distinctive headwear. This metonymy highlights their role and perspective in the poem. They are...
Half-Hanged Mary
What is the theme of "Half-Hanged Mary"?
The theme of "Half-Hanged Mary" by Margaret Atwood centers on perseverance amidst adversity. The poem depicts Mary's suffering and resolve to survive despite false accusations of witchcraft and...
Half-Hanged Mary
What does the "two deaths" mean for Mary in "Half-Hanged Mary"?
In "Half-Hanged Mary," the "two deaths" refer to Mary Webster's physical and spiritual transformations. Her first "death" is the hanging itself, after which she survives but becomes a social outcast,...
Half-Hanged Mary
What are two examples of irony in "Half-Hanged Mary"?
In "Half-Hanged Mary," two examples of irony are evident. First, there is tragic irony in how those Mary Webster previously helped—such as women whose babies she saved or delivered—watch her hanging...
Half-Hanged Mary
What is the tone of the poem "Half-Hanged Mary"?
The tone of "Half-Hanged Mary" is predominantly bitter. The speaker expresses resentment towards those who labeled her a witch, the God who allowed her suffering, and the women she helped who...
Half-Hanged Mary
What is the speaker's relationship with God in the 10 pm section of "Half-Hanged Mary"?
In the 10 PM section of "Half-Hanged Mary," the speaker, Mary, exhibits a sarcastic and questioning relationship with God. She addresses God with irony, pondering the concept of free will while...
Half-Hanged Mary
Who is the speaker in the 7 pm section of "Half-Hanged Mary"?
The speaker in the "7 pm" section is Mary Webster, a woman accused of witchcraft in colonial New England, based on historical events in Massachusetts during the late 1600s. She is portrayed as living...
Half-Hanged Mary
How is Mary transformed or reborn due to her experience?
Mary undergoes a profound transformation after surviving an attempted execution for witchcraft. Initially a devout Puritan, her faith shatters when her community turns against her due to her...
Half-Hanged Mary
In "Half-Hanged Mary," what is "rumor" compared to in lines 1 and 2, and what does this suggest about rumors?
In “Half-Hanged Mary,” Margaret Atwood compares “rumor” in lines 1 and 2 to a kind of creature that's been flying about in the air and looking for “some neck to land on.” The comparison suggests that...
Half-Hanged Mary
How is vulnerability portrayed by the speaker in the first two stanzas of "Half-Hanged Mary"?
In "Half-Hanged Mary," vulnerability is portrayed through the speaker's isolation and the arbitrary nature of the accusations against her. The poem opens with rumors "hunting for some neck to land...
Half-Hanged Mary
In what ways can words be dangerous like soft bullets in "Half-Hanged Mary"?
In "Half-Hanged Mary," words are likened to "soft bullets" because they are dangerous and deadly, much like false accusations of witchcraft that led to hangings. These accusations, though not...