Question

What two opposing views are described in this excerpt from Muir’s “The Calypso Borealis”:

But when the sun was getting low and everything seemed most bewildering and discouraging, I found beautiful Calypso on the mossy bank of a stream, growing not in the ground but on a bed of yellow mosses in which its small white bulb had found a soft nest and from which its one leaf and one flower sprung. The flower was white and made the impression of the utmost simple purity like a snowflower. No other bloom was near it, for the bog a short distance below the surface was still frozen, and the water was ice cold. It seemed the most spiritual of all the flower people I had ever met. I sat down beside it and fairly cried for joy.

Group of answer choices

The author viewed the swamp as a place of warmth and frigidness.

The author viewed the swamp as a place of darkness and light.

The author viewed the swamp as a place of innocence and sinfulness.

The author viewed the swamp as a place of gentleness and harshness.

Answer 1

The passage contrasts the confusing and depressing view with the discovery of the lovely and spiritually pure Calypso flower.

This passage from Muir's "The Calypso Borealis" contrasts what two points of view: But as the sun set and everything seemed to be getting more confusing and depressing, I came across the lovely Calypso growing on the mossy bank of a stream. It wasn't growing in the ground, but rather on a bed of yellow mosses where its tiny white bulb had made a cosy nest and from which its one leaf and one flower had sprouted. The flower, which was white, gave off the sense of absolute simplicity and purity, much like a snowflower. There was no other bloom close by because the water was extremely cold and the nearby bog was still frozen. It appeared to be the most spiritual flower person I've ever encountered.