Final answer:
In "The Writer" by Richard Wilbur, the speaker is listening to the sound of his daughter's typewriter. This sound is a metaphor for her struggles with writing and symbolizes the effort involved in the creative process.
Step-by-step explanation:
In "The Writer" by Richard Wilbur, the speaker is listening to B. The sound of his daughter's typewriter. This noise is a metaphor for the daughter's struggle to find her own voice and craft her writing, which is a central theme of the poem. The repetitive sound of the typewriter keys striking paper symbolizes the persistence and effort involved in the creative process. The speaker reflects on his daughter's endeavor, using the typewriter's noise as a backdrop to his thoughts about her journey towards adulthood and independence.
The poem does not directly mention the other options, such as A. A chain being hauled across the room, C. His daughter quietly reading her writing aloud, or D. A starling hitting the glass while trying to escape, in the context of what the speaker is listening to.
In the given excerpts, the sounds vary from natural sounds in the environment to metaphors expressing characters' emotions or situations but there is no direct connection to the question asked about "The Writer."