Question

Read the excerpt below and answer the question.

Men have tried hard to put away the dark;
A million lighted windows brilliantly
Inlay with squares of gold the winter night,
But to us standing here there comes the stark
Sense of the lives behind each yellow light,
And not one wholly joyous, proud, or free.

What is the meaning of these lines in the closing sestet of “Lights”?

Human inventiveness has brought brightness and optimism to the world.
The power of love transforms the ordinary lights of city buildings into delicate works of art.
People use the lights to brighten and mask the dreariness of their lives.
The lighted windows on winter nights symbolize the energy and vibrancy of the city.

Answer 1

People use the lights to brighten and mask the dreariness of their lives.

Step-by-step explanation:

The first line of the poem says, "Men have tried hard to put away the dark;" Notice how it says "tried", the rest of this excerpt implies that this effort hasn't been entirely successful. Then check out the last line: "And not one wholly joyous, proud, or free." This line conveys the message that despite the bright lights that man has created to ward off darkness, their creations have failed to vanquish the darkness and dreariness from their lives