Question

Read these lines from the poem and answer the question.

though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.

The poet's word choice in these lines conveys a tone of _____.

anger

danger

disappointment

confusion

​

Answer 1

The word choice in the poem conveys a tone of profound melancholy and secondary danger, with imagery and personification that evoke sadness and desolation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The poet's word choice in the provided lines suggests a tone of profound melancholy and desolation. Words such as 'pry,' 'stiff fingers,' and 'melancholy,' combined with the portrayal of a bleak landscape where the wind is personified as being oppressive, convey a pervasive sense of sadness and hopelessness. This tone matches the descriptions of the desolate scenes and the deep emotional struggle within the poem. The tone of danger could also be inferred due to the personification of the wind attacking the very foundations, suggesting a threatening atmosphere. However, the majority of the imagery and word choice seem to align more closely with sadness than physical danger. Therefore, the tone of danger is present but secondary to the predominant feeling of sorrow.