Question

Read this excerpt from "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" by Langston Hughes.

I've known rivers:
I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins.
What is the allusion in this excerpt?
The speaker alludes to rivers from his childhood
The speaker alludes to the bloodshed from the Civil War.
The speaker alludes to rivers as old as civilization itself.
The speaker alludes to the survival of his people.

Answer 1

The answer is C

Step-by-step explanation:

In the poem he says "I’ve known rivers ancient as the world" referring to how old the river is, and comparing it to the beginning existence of humanity.

Answer 2

C). The speaker alludes to rivers as old as civilization itself.

Step-by-step explanation:

Allusions are demonstrated as the inclusion of a short reference in a literary work(poem or prose) which could either be direct or indirect referring to a historically, politically, or culturally significant place or person or idea. These are involved in a literary work with an aim to nurture the context and meaning of the work due to making it more vast and complex.

As per the question, the allusion in the given excerpt from "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" by Langston Hughes exemplifies the reference of 'civilization' to expand the context and description of the 'river' in order to enhance its meaning and impact further. Therefore, option C would be the correct answer.