The Highwayman/How I Learned English

Tim the ostler

the landlord

the redcoats

the narrator

take part in a riding contest

commit a robbery

exchange some possessions for gold

fight the redcoats

knowing that the redcoats are waiting to capture the highwayman

knowing that Bess does not realize that Tim the ostler loves her

knowing that Bess has plaited a red love knot into her long hair

knowing that the redcoats have not said anything to the landlord

It will be humorous.

It will be sad.

It will be dramatic.

It will be jolly.

The all-American setting contrasts with the narrator’s foreignness.

The ballpark setting helps create great tension.

The Pennsylvania setting emphasizes the theme of liberty.

The schoolyard setting suggests that the narrator has a lot to learn.

in an empty lot

in a city park

in a stadium

in a backyard

He is confused because he has been hit in the head.

He is trying to get the other boys to laugh.

Shin means “head” in his native language.

He does not know much English.

It does not rhyme.

It is not funny.

There is no conflict.

The characters are not named.

biographies and essays

narrative essays and stories

other poems and lyrics

short stories and other poems

People could starve because of it.

People could drown because of it.

People could be electrocuted by it.

People could be burned by it.

They get what they want.

They are exceedingly lazy.

They have a lot of friends.

They are exceedingly poor.

waiting

looking around

listening

standing still