Question

In stanza 4 of Song for a Fallen Boy, what is the intended effect of describing the sky as able to weep?

a) To create a somber atmosphere
b) To emphasize the beauty of the sky
c) To symbolize happiness
d) To highlight the vastness of the sky

Answer 1

The intent of describing the sky as able to weep in the poem 'Song for a Fallen Boy' is to create a somber atmosphere, connecting the sky's sadness with human grief.

Step-by-step explanation:

In stanza 4 of Song for a Fallen Boy, describing the sky as able to weep is intended to create a somber atmosphere. This description utilizes the literary device of pathetic fallacy, attributing human emotions to nature, which intensifies the mood of sorrow and loss associated with a 'fallen boy'. The sky's weeping mirrors the human grief and lends a universal quality to the sorrow, suggesting that the loss is so profound it affects even the sky. Moreover, by anthropomorphizing the sky, the writer vividly captures the emotional weight of the moment, making it more relatable and poignant for the reader.