Question

15 nothing real except the beauty and the calm upon her face
16 and the shouting of the children as they scamper round the place.
17 for the greatest of man’s duties is to keep his loved ones glad
18 and to have his children glory in the father they have had.
19 so where’er a man may wander, and whatever be his care,
20 you’ll find his soul still stretching to the home he left somewhere
21 you’ll find his dreams all tangled up with hollyhocks in bloom,
22 and the feet of little children that go racing through a room,
23 with the happy mother smiling as she watches them at play
24 these are all in life that matter, when you’ve stripped the sham away.

1. tinsel: thin strips of shiny metal or foil used as decoration

what is the symbolism of the line “feet of little children” (line 22) from the poem?
☐ it symbolizes fame and wealth.
☐ it symbolizes longing for home.
☐ it symbolizes the impact of little things.
☐ it symbolizes the true joy of fulfilled dreams.

Explanation:

To determine the symbolism of "feet of little children", we analyze the poem's context. The poem emphasizes home, family, and simple joys. Lines like "soul still stretching to the home he left" and the scene of children racing (with a happy mother watching) relate to home. "Feet of little children" in this home - centered, family - focused context symbolizes longing for home (the warmth, family, and domestic scenes of home). Other options: fame/wealth is unrelated; "impact of little things" is too vague; "fulfilled dreams" doesn't fit as the line is about home - related imagery, not dream fulfillment.

Answer:

B. It symbolizes longing for home.