Final answer:
Hope is often portrayed in literature as persistent, resilient, and challenging to extinguish, as seen in poems by Emily Dickinson and Edna St. Vincent Millay and discussions about the future of energy and climate change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question about whether it takes a lot to extinguish a flicker of hope seems to be seeking an answer that delves into the thematic exploration of hope and pessimism. Throughout literature, such as in the poem 'Hope is the Thing with Feathers' by Emily Dickinson, hope is often depicted as persistent and resilient, suggesting that it is not easily extinguished. This poem represents hope as a small bird that continues to sing in the soul, regardless of the difficulties faced. Additionally, the excerpt from 'First Fig' by Edna St. Vincent Millay conveys the idea of living brightly, even when the future seems uncertain or fleeting, further reinforcing the enduring nature of hope.
Moreover, discussing the future and humanity's ability to respond to global challenges, like energy sustainability or climate change, also requires hope and optimism. While the theme described in the provided book excerpt implies a sense of urgency and the limitations of certain resources, there still exists an acknowledgment of possibilities and alternatives, like sunshine being a 'ray of light' with its abundance of energy. Hence, the consistent theme across these discussions is that while hope can be challenged, it remains a persistent force within human nature.