Question

Read the following poem and answer the question that follows.

"When I Was One-and-Twenty," by A.E. Housman

When I was one-and-twenty
I heard a wise man say,
'Give crowns and pound and guineas
But not your heart away;

Give pearls away and rubies
But keep your fancy free.'
But I was one-and twenty,
No use to talk to me.

When I was one-and-twenty
I heard him say again,
'The heart out of the bosom
(bold) *Was never given in vain;
'Tis paid with sighs a plenty
And sold for endless rue.'
And I am two-and-twenty,
And oh, 'tis true, 'tis true.* (end bold)

In one paragraph of at least three to five sentences, analyze the tone and imagery used in the line in bold. Identify the mood the author intended to create with this imagery, as well as the connotations used in the words "vain," "endless rue," and "oh." Use proper spelling and grammar.

Answer 1

The tone of Housman's poem is somber and reflective, with imagery that emphasizes the regret of giving one's heart away in vain and the resulting 'endless rue.'

Step-by-step explanation:

The tone and imagery in the bolded lines of A.E. Housman's poem "When I Was One-and-Twenty" convey a somber and reflective mood. The word "vain" suggests futility and pointlessness, carrying connotations of regret when giving one's heart away. "Endless rue" implies a perpetual state of sorrow and regret, amplifying the melancholic mood of the poem. The interjection "oh" at the beginning of the last line punctuates the realization of the speaker with a profound sense of weight and authenticity. This line combines with the others to evoke a feeling of deep regret and the pain of wisdom gained through experience.

Answer 2

Great job ty carrizalws with the win of the century