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Loss And Gain When I compare What I have lost with what I have gained, What I have missed with what attained, Little room do I find for pride. I am aware How many days have been idly spent; How like an arrow the good Intent Has fallen short or been turned aside. But who shall dare To measure loss and gain in this wise? Defeat may be victory in disguise; Which idea is suggested by the image of the turning tide in the last line of the poem? 1. the passing of time 2. the possibility of change 3. the approach of death 4. the disappearance of hope

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Final answer:

In the poem, the image of a 'turning tide' highlights the possibility of change. It indicates shifts in life's circumstances, embodying the potential for transformation and disguising defeat as victory.

Step-by-step explanation:

The image of the turning tide at the end of the poem suggests the possibility of change. The tide is frequently used as a metaphor in literature to indicate shifts or transformations, simulating the ebb and flow of life's circumstances. In the poem, the narrator mentions how the 'good Intent Has fallen short or been turned aside', signifying challenges or unsuccessful endeavors. Yet, the turning tide implies that although defeat might seem imminent, it can in truth be disguised victory, embodying the potential for positive transformation and the resurgence of hope.

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