Question

Standing Tall

1 ) Season upon season I have stood atop this knoll, surrounded by my rooted kin. Many times, I have watched the sun's bright orb move through its cycle in the sky: higher during the warmest days, lower when the air is chill.
2 ) Not all seasons are the same: one year, the rains failed to fall. I knew thirst so deep that I ached for even a single drop of sweat from the horses that sought shade under my bare limbs. But I was not afraid; eventually fog rolled in and moisture clung to me anew. The raindrops fell, tasting like manna from heaven. I stood firm.

What is the effect of having the narrator see the humans as similar to trees?

A. It provides insight into how trees actually perceive other beings.
B. It creates a sense that trees and humans are not so different from each other.
C. It suggests that all living things share a common origin.
D. It helps characterize the humans cutting down the trees as the protagonists in the story.

Answer 1

The effect of having the narrator see the humans as similar to trees is that it creates a sense that there is not a great difference between them, suggesting a shared experience and empathy. This approach is known as anthropomorphism and encourages the reader to see the interconnectedness of all living things. The correct answer is option B.

Step-by-step explanation:

The effect of having the narrator see the humans as similar to trees is B. It creates a sense that trees and humans are not so different from each other. This personification serves to bridge the gap between humans and nature, suggesting empathy and a shared existence. Rather than presenting trees as inert and humans as dynamic protagonists, it provides an intimate connection between them, as seen through the playful and life-like description of trees and other elements of nature. By portraying trees with human-like qualities, such as feeling thirst or enjoying the moisture like 'manna from heaven', there is a subtle nod to the interconnectedness of all living things.

Anthropomorphism, the attribution of human characteristics to non-human entities, can often be detected in literature. It enriches the narrative and provides a deeper understanding of our relationship with the environment around us. Examples of this can be found in literature where trees may be depicted as 'standing tall', weather conditions are portrayed with human-like intent, or animals are personified in such a way that reflects our own emotions and flesh out the story's thematic elements.