Question

Read the poem.

Columbus

by Joaquin Miller

Read this line from Stanza 4 of the poem.

"This mad sea shows his teeth to-night."

How does the poet's use of the word teeth affect the poem?


A.) It suggests that the ship is being tossed about in turbulent seas and gives the poem a threatening tone.

B.) It suggests that the night is stormy and gives the poem an uneasy tone.

C.) It emphasizes that the mate is steering the ship in rough seas, giving the poem a confident tone.

D.) It emphasizes the cold ocean waves breaking over the ship, giving the poem a miserable tone.

Answer 1

A

Step-by-step explanation:

Saying that it is showing it teeth gives the poem a threatening tone. If not A, the answer should be C, but A sounds the most accurate.

Answer 2

A.) It suggests that the ship is being tossed about in turbulent seas and gives the poem a threatening tone.

Step-by-step explanation:

The expression "show your teeth" means a threat, a sign of danger and insecurity. The author used this expression to convey to the reader the idea that the sea (which is being described in the poem) is threatening and dangerous. This makes the reader feel uncomfortable and distressed by the speaker's description of the poem.