Question

respond with evidence
use the frame and text evidence to construct a formal written response.

1. what is meant by the figurative language of the poem’s title,

“buffalo dusk”?
the figurative language of the title, “buffalo dusk,” refers to the idea that the
__________ would soon be extinct. in the same way that “dusk” means
the end of a __________, “buffalo dusk” means that the buffalo were
________ the end of their ________ as a species.

1. how does the text “bringing back the buffalo” support your

understanding of the poem “buffalo dusk”?
the text “bringing back the buffalo” __________
my understanding of the poem “buffalo dusk” by explaining the history of
__________. for example, in the poem,
the first and last lines say that __________
according to “bringing back the buffalo,” when the poem was written, the
population of american bison had decreased from __________
__________. this helps me understand that to sandburg,
such a ________ drop in the number of ________ would
seem like they were gone, but they eventually __________
identify precise words
review text 2 and your portfolio (pp. 58–59) to identify words for your writing.
precise topic words

• breed

-
high - utility academic words

• population

-

Explanation:

1. For the first question, "dusk" symbolizes the end of a day, and the title links this to the buffalo facing extinction, so the blanks align with the metaphor of decline.
2. For the second question, the text Bringing Back the Buffalo provides historical population context for the bison (buffalo) that mirrors the poem's mournful tone about the species' near-loss, and notes their eventual recovery. Key details from the text and poem fill the gaps.

Answer:

1. The figurative language of the title, "Buffalo Dusk," refers to the idea that the buffalo (American bison) would soon be extinct. In the same way that "dusk" means the end of a day, "Buffalo Dusk" means that the buffalo were facing the end of their existence as a species.

1. The text Bringing Back the Buffalo supports my understanding of the poem Buffalo Dusk by explaining the history of the American bison's near-extinction and recovery. For example, in the poem, the first and lost lines say that the buffalo herds vanished from the plains.

According to Bringing Back the Buffalo, when the poem was written, the population of American bison had decreased from millions to just a few hundred. This helps me understand that to Sandburg, such a drastic, catastrophic drop in the number of buffalo would seem like they were gone, but they eventually recovered and repopulated.