Final answer:
In "Hope is the thing with feathers," Emily Dickinson uses an extended metaphor to portray hope as an enduring presence in the soul, providing comfort in difficult times. The metaphor does not suggest hope is fragile, nor does it directly challenge the traditional view of hope as a passive virtue. The correct answer to what the metaphor does not do is option (D).
Step-by-step explanation:
Emily Dickinson’s poem “Hope is the thing with feathers” is a prime example of her unique style and thematic exploration. In the poem, she employs an extended metaphor to describe hope as a bird that perches in the soul. In answer to the student's question regarding what the metaphor in the poem does not do, we can analyze the poem in relation to the provided options.
Option (A) proposes that Dickinson portrays hope as a source of comfort and strength in times of difficulty. This is indeed expressed in the poem, as hope “sings the tune without the words” and is present in challenging times. Option (B) suggests that hope is fragile and can be easily extinguished.
However, Dickinson’s depiction of hope does not imply its fragility; rather, it emphasizes its resilience and ability to withstand even the harshest storms. As for option (C), the poem does emphasize the importance of faith and belief, as hope is described as unyielding “And never stops at all.”
Finally, option (D) suggests that Dickinson contradicts the traditional view of hope as a passive virtue. This assertion is not a part of the extended metaphor presented in the poem. The poem does not directly address or contradict the view of hope as passive. Instead, it provides a lyrical illustration of hope's enduring and active presence within the soul. Accordingly, the correct answer is option (D); Dickinson does not contradict the traditional view of hope as a passive virtue in the extended metaphor of the poem.