Final answer:
The Spring and the Fall aligns with the pastoral tradition due to its portrayal of idealized nature scenes, capturing the beauty of changing seasons and human emotions. This focus on nature's beauty distinguishes it within the pastoral tradition from elements like artificial language or innocent characters found in other pastoral works. Thus the correct option is c.
Step-by-step explanation:
Both "The Spring and the Fall" and "The Helmsman" belong to the pastoral tradition, but they reflect it for different reasons. "The Spring and the Fall" aligns with the pastoral tradition primarily because it describes idealized scenes of nature. The poem captures the essence of nature's beauty and innocence, portraying the changing seasons and the cycle of life through the innocent perspective of a child. This idealized portrayal of nature, its cycles, and its impact on human emotions are characteristic of the pastoral tradition.
Within the pastoral tradition, the emphasis is on portraying nature as idyllic and harmonious, often idealizing rural life. In "The Spring and the Fall," this is evident through the depiction of the changing seasons and their effect on the young protagonist's emotions. The poem's focus on nature's beauty and the impact of seasonal changes on human experiences aligns with the traditional pastoral themes.
The use of highly artificial language or the presence of innocent nymphs and shepherds, as seen in other pastoral works, is not the primary reason why "The Spring and the Fall" reflects the pastoral tradition. Instead, it's the vivid and idealized portrayal of nature's scenes and their emotional impact that firmly places it within the pastoral tradition, distinguishing it from "The Helmsman" or other works that might use pastoral elements differently. Thus the correct option is c.