Question

But there was a world

Somewhere
Out there
And Mrs. Long opened that wardrobe
But no lions or witches scared me
I went through
Knowing there would be
Spring

—"A Poem For My Librarian, Mrs. Long,"
Nikki Giovanni

Based on this excerpt, which conclusion can the reader draw about the speaker’s viewpoint on libraries and librarians?
The speaker believes that people dislike both.
The speaker has no opinions about either.
The speaker believes that they are sources of comfort.
The speaker has had a bad experience with them.

Answer 1

The speaker in Nikki Giovanni's poem sees libraries and librarians as sources of comfort and gateways to discovery and imagination, comparing a trip to the library with entering a magical world devoid of the fear one might find in stories.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the excerpt from "A Poem For My Librarian, Mrs. Long," by Nikki Giovanni, one can draw the conclusion that the speaker views libraries and librarians as sources of comfort and adventure. The mention of Mrs. Long opening the wardrobe, an allusion to C.S. Lewis's 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,' suggests a magical portal to new worlds. Spring symbolizes hope, renewal, and the positive experiences of exploration and learning in a library setting, away from any fear associated with lions or witches, which could otherwise be found in stories. Thus, the speaker implies that libraries and librarians are gateways to discovery and safe havens for imagination.

Answer 2

the speaker believes that they are sources of comfort