Question

Identify and explain a theme for "Disillusionment of Ten O'Clock" by Wallace Stevens.

a) The theme is the allure of dreams and imagination in contrast to mundane reality.
b) The theme is the passage of time and the inevitability of aging.
c) The theme is the destructive power of war and conflict.
d) The theme is the pursuit of happiness and the American Dream.

Answer 1

The theme for "Disillusionment of Ten O'Clock" by Wallace Stevens is the allure of dreams and imagination in contrast to mundane reality.

Step-by-step explanation:

The theme for "Disillusionment of Ten O'Clock" by Wallace Stevens is the allure of dreams and imagination in contrast to mundane reality.

In the poem, Stevens describes a neighborhood where the residents all wear plain white nightgowns to bed, leading boring and unadventurous lives. He contrasts this mundane reality with the vibrant and imaginative dreams that the residents could be having. This theme of the allure of dreams and imagination is evident in the poem's imagery and contrasts.

For example, Stevens describes the nightgowns as "giving off faint and parallel radiance" while the dreams are described as "bright and intricate." This juxtaposition highlights the difference between the mundane reality and the captivating world of dreams.