Shout

Throughout her life, Anderson finds herself drawn to water. What is the role of water and swimming in Shout? What does water symbolize to her, and how does this symbolism change over time?

Analyze the phrase “shame / turned / inside out / is rage” (227). Given what you’ve read about shame and sexual assault in this book, do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

Choose one of Anderson’s poems and analyze how she plays with negative space, punctuation, line breaks, rhyme, structure, etc. How does the form of each poem affect the way the reader might interpret the content of said poem?

When describing what her time abroad did for her, Anderson says, “My home in Denmark taught me how to speak / again” (114). How does Anderson’s language and word choice change when she is in Denmark? Analyze how Danish language acquisition changes the way she conveys her message in English.

What do you think Anderson means when she says, “Auntie Laurie says follow your nightmares instead / cuz when you figure out what’s eating you alive / you can slay it” (160)?

Compare and contrast two moments from Shout: one in which Anderson stays silent, and one when she speaks her truth aloud. Does she truly have agency in these moments? What are the consequences of speaking her truth versus staying silent?

Anderson often uses images of soft objects (afghans, wool) juxtaposed with hard or violence objects (fists, porcupines). Why do you think Anderson uses texture as a metaphor throughout the text?

Why does Anderson end Part 2 with the concept of Ultima Thule? What is the significance of this place, and why might it be a source of peace for her?