These Hands

Finding the Theme

Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text​ (RL 5.2).

Annotations: These Hands

Finding the Theme

Directions: Answer the following questions. Make sure to refer back to your annotations.

1. Which summary best describes the grandfather’s reaction after Joseph needs help?
a. Joseph’s grandfather is upset that he is not able to do these tasks on his own since
he was once little and was able to do it.
b. Joseph’s grandfather is happy that Joseph is able to do them when he thinks he can
not.
c. Joseph’s grandfather is proud and willing to help Joseph and takes pride in what he
accomplished when he was younger.
d. Joseph’s grandfather does not want to help him and makes fun of him because he
could do so much more as a little boy.
2. Summarize this text in your own words:

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3. Which of the following is the main idea of this text?

a. Joseph was have a hard time learning new things and asked his grandfather for help.
b. Joseph’s grandfather was proud of Joseph for trying and learning new things.
c. Joseph’s grandfather told Joseph his past where he was a part of the Civil Rights
Movement where African Americans joined together to fight for fair treatment in their
jobs.
d. You can accomplish anything when you set your mind to it.

4. What is the author’s main point in stating, “Look at those hands. Those hands can do

anything. Anything at all in this whole wide world,” at the end of the story?

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5. What did Joseph learn from his grandfather’s story?

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6. Which textual detail(s) show that Joseph’s grandfather was determined to make change.
a. “These hands were not allowed to sweep the floors and work the line and load the
trucks.”
b. “And we wrote our petitions”
c. “And we carried our signs”
d. “And we raised our voices together.”

7. How are the actions of this character similar to the actions of Martin Luther King Jr.?

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8. How would you have handled the situation if you were in his grandfather’s shoes?

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9. What is the overall theme of ​These Hands?​ Make sure to use evidence from the story to

explain.

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