Final answer:
Option 2, 'Each person clutches an imaginary baby,' is the correct interpretation of the phrase, which uses terms like 'phantom' and 'ghost' to suggest a non-tangible presence rather than a literal baby.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase 'Each of us holds in her lap a phantom, a ghost baby' from the question suggests that Option 2: 'Each person clutches an imaginary baby' is the correct interpretation. A 'phantom' or 'ghost' is symbolic, often representing something that is not physically present but felt or remembered. As these terms are associated with the non-tangible, they indicate the baby in question is not a literal, physical being but instead a figment, idea, or memory that is symbolically cradled by individuals. This can be likened to a metaphor within literature, where phrases carry deeper meanings beyond their literal interpretation.
Considering this understanding, the various examples provided illustrate the differing contexts in which actual ('real'), imagined ('imaginary'), and symbolic representations of babies appear. From a baby sleeping in its cradle to the anticipation and concern surrounding the birth of a child in Israel's cultural model, it is clear that the notion of a 'baby' can convey multiple layers of meaning, including the emotional, cultural, and personal.