Question

in her 1921 poem \spring,\ edna st. vincent millay subverts conventional depictions of springtime. instead of celebrating growth and renewal, millay disputes the merit of the season entirely: ______
which quotation from \spring\ most effectively illustrates the claim?
choose 1 answer:
a \the sun is hot on my neck as i observe / the spikes of the crocus.\
b \the smell of the earth is good. / it is apparent that there is no death.\
c \to what purpose, april, do you return again? / beauty is not enough.\
d \life in itself / is nothing, / an empty cup, a flight of uncarpeted stairs.\

Explanation:

The claim is that Millay disputes the merit of spring. Option C questions the purpose of April (spring) returning and says beauty (a common positive aspect of spring) isn't enough, which directly disputes spring's merit. Option A just describes a spring scene. Option B seems to celebrate life (a common spring - related positive). Option D is more about life in general rather than specifically disputing spring.

Answer:

C. "To what purpose, April, do you return again? / Beauty is not enough."