Final answer:
Lily connects a tree she notices to the cycle of life, with its roots, trunk, and branches representing the past, present, and future, respectively. This use of nature as symbolism reflects the deeper layers of meaning found in literature, allowing for personal and emotive connections to the narrative.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Lily's desperate search for Rosaleen, she notices a tree and makes a connection between the tree and life. This question is asking for an explanation of the symbolic value behind the tree. It would appear that the closest connection given the provided information would be option a, where the tree symbolizes the cycle of life, with different parts of the tree representing various times in life: the roots as the past, the trunk as the present, and the branches as the future.
Literature often employs nature as a rich source of symbolism and metaphor, invoking deep connections with the reader's experiences and emotions. For example, elements such as a rose-tree, which in some narratives offer different colored roses, can signify diversity in human emotions or the varying qualities one might seek in love or life.
Similarly, characters like Sylvia in the excerpt from a story, who bravely climbs trees, can embody the youthful and sometimes reckless pursuit of adventure and knowledge, which is an essential part of personal growth and learning. The symbolism in nature offers nuanced layers of understanding and multiple interpretations, enriching the narrative and resonating with readers' lives.