Question

“forest trees”
by edna st. vincent millay
monarchs of long forgotten realms, ye stand;
majestic, grand;
unscared by time’s destructive hand.
enthroned on dais of velvet moss, inset
with the royal purple of the violet;
and crowned with mistletoe.
how many ages o’er your head have flown,
to you is known—
to you, ye forest-founders of the past, alone.
no other eyes may scan the breadth of years,
each with its share of peace, and joy, and tears;
of happiness and woe.
around you all is changed—and where now is land
swift seas ploughed to foam the seething main;
kingdoms have risen, and the fire-fiend’s hand
has crushed them to their mother earth again;
and through it all we stand, and still will stand
till time shall come have owned your reign.

part a
which statement summarizes a theme of the poem?
○ nature outlasts man’s creations.
○ trees are admired for their beauty.
○ natural disasters are mysterious and unpredictable.
○ surroundings can have a powerful influence on one’s mood.

Explanation:

The poem "Forest Trees" contrasts the transient nature of human creations (like monarchs' realms) with the enduring nature of nature (trees, forests). Lines like "Monarchs of long forgotten realms, ye stand; Unscared by Time’s destructive hand" and the trees' continued existence show nature outlasting man - made things. The other options: "Trees are admired for their beauty" focuses on beauty, not the main theme; "Natural disasters are mysterious..." is not supported by the poem; "Surroundings can influence mood" is also not a theme here.

Answer:

A. Nature outlasts man’s creations.