Question

"What are the implications of the simile in lines 19 and 20?

'Or the first cloud so terrible and still
That bears the coming harvest in its breast.'"

A) The child's body is compared to a cloud, suggesting unpredictability and mystery.
B) The child's presence is compared to a storm cloud, foreshadowing a significant event.
C) The child's arrival is compared to a cloud, signifying an imminent change or harvest.
D) The child's demeanor is compared to a calm cloud, indicating a sense of tranquility and peace.

Answer 1

The simile compares the child's arrival to a cloud that signifies imminent change or a coming harvest, aligning with themes of potential and transformation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The simile in lines 19 and 20, 'Or the first cloud so terrible and still That bears the coming harvest in its breast,' suggests that the child's presence is analogous to that of a cloud carrying the potential for a significant future event, much like a cloud holds the promise of a necessary harvest. Thus, the correct implication of the simile is C) The child's arrival is compared to a cloud, signifying an imminent change or harvest. This comparison aligns with the broader theme of potential and transformation often associated with the imagery of clouds in literature, indicating both the presence of mystery and the promise of change.