Question

How does the author of "The Reef" draw on the excerpt from Metamorphoses?

A) by depicting a character who also overestimates his invincibility like Icarus
B) by using the same symbol of the ocean to represent the power of fate
C) by setting the narrative in the exact location where Icarus died
D) by focusing on the same conflict of fate versus free will

Answer 1

The author of "The Reef" uses the symbol of the ocean to reflect the power of fate, akin to its use in Metamorphoses, making answer B the correct option.

Step-by-step explanation:

The author of "The Reef" draws on the excerpt from Ovid's Metamorphoses through the element of hubris and the consequences of human actions against the divine.

Specifically, the correct answer is B: by using the same symbol of the ocean to represent the power of fate. In both texts, the sea embodies the immense and uncontrollable power of fate that stands against the characters' pride or attempts to defy predetermined outcomes.

Whereas Icarus overestimates his invincibility leading to his fall, characters in "The Reef" confront their own vulnerability in the face of natural forces, illustrating a timeless literary theme of fate versus human agency. This thematic resonance with the Metamorphoses enriches the narrative of "The Reef", offering a profound commentary on human endeavors against the vast backdrop of fate represented by the sea.