Question

Which statement best explains how Lowell uses the aquarium and the statue of Colonel Shaw as symbols?

Neither the aquarium nor the monument are able to stand the test of time because they are man-made symbols, as only natural
things can endure.
The aquarium that has been destroyed is a symbol for the natural beautiful things that are destroyed, while Shaw's statue is a symbol
of the future.
Both the aquarium and the monument are architectural structures that have been destroyed or almost destroyed, and are symbols for
a decent past
The monument to Colonel Shaw was a symbol for the Civil Rights movement, and was replaced by the aquarium, which is merely a
commercial enterprise.

Answer 1

The answer is Both the aquarium and the monument are architectural structures that have been destroyed or almost destroyed, and are symbols for a decent past.

Step-by-step explanation:

"For the union dead" is a book written by Robert Lowell and was published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux in 1964 and it was Lowell 6th book. Colonel Shaw was an American officer who fought during the American civil war for the Union Army. He was an abolitionist and commended the first all-black regiment.

Lowell wrote the poem For the Union dead with his early days reminisces of an Old Boston Aquarium built near Colonel Shaw figurine to enhance its beauty. In his book, he talked about how men fought for equality and American dreams during the ancient days but their sacrifices have faded away since capitalism had taken over American society.