Question

In Wichita, mourning David Matherne pipe organs—dusty and tarnished—bellowed the ancient song, as movers carried the pews for one last time. Frozen branches—heavy with ice arms—couldn’t perform their dance, as workmen shuffled inside the worn-out floors. Sally Richards—broken and mourning—watched while her father left, as painters brought in their cans for the first time. Stained-glass windows—buckled and broken—surveyed commotion’s cause as commerce won in the end yet one more time. Reverend Richards—feeble and finished—cried as his exit was lost on Christians who worshiped the dime; a change of the times.

Question: Which lines best reflect a theme of the poem?
Responses:

a) Lines 1 and 2
b) Lines 9 and 10
c) Lines 13 and 14
d) Lines 19 and 20

Answer 1

Lines 19 and 20 in the excerpts provided best reflect the theme of change, especially in the context of a shift from traditional values to materialistic society, as seen in the characters' experiences and the overarching sentiment of loss. The correct option is d) Lines 19 and 20

Step-by-step explanation:

When identifying the lines that best reflect the theme of a poem, one must consider the overall message and sentiments conveyed throughout the piece. In the provided excerpts, lines 19 and 20 underscore a prevailing theme of change and its effects—an alteration that is not only physical in terms of the environment described, but also emotional, reflecting the sentiments of loss and the commodification of spirituality.

This theme is expressed through the characters in the poem who experience this change profoundly, such as Reverend Richards and Sally Richards, suggesting a shift from traditional values to a more materialistic society. The lines "Reverend Richards—feeble and finished—cried as his exit was lost on Christians who worshiped the dime; a change of the times" capture this change vividly, making them a powerful reflection of the poem's theme.