An Obstacle

Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 1884

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Download PDF

Study Guide

Teaching Guide

How to Use

Introduction

Reading Context Questions

Reading Comprehension Questions

Reading Comprehension Answers

Literary Device Questions

Literary Device Answers

Discussion Starters

Writing Prompts

Activity

Discussion Starters

1. Why might Gilman have chosen to work with rhyming six-line stanzas? What is the effect of this on the poem’s meaning? What is the effect on readers?

2. In what ways is the speaker Taking Inspiration From Nature as she Overcomes Prejudice?

3. What do you make of the poem’s ending? Is it too simplistic to suggest prejudice can be overcome by pretending it doesn’t exist, or is Gilman’s message something else?