Question

36
williams, james
two universal themes of the poem are the loss of innocence and an individual’s struggle toward understanding. how do lines 42–44 develop these themes?
a the speaker feels awkward, but she is resigned to doing what is required of her.
b the speaker doubts herself, but she is motivated by proving other people wrong.
c the speaker is excited to grow up, but she wonders how much she will leave behind.
d the speaker is scared to leave home, but she realizes she does not belong there anymore.

30
in my childhood
i stood under a dripping oak,
while autumnal fog eddied around my feet,
waiting for the school bus
with a dread that took my breath away.
35
the damp dirt road gave off
this same complex organic scent.
i had the new books—words, numbers,
and operations with numbers i did not
comprehend—and crayons, unspoiled
40
by use, in a blue canvas satchel
with red leather straps.
spruce, inadequate, and alien
i stood at the side of the road.
it was the only life i had.

\three songs at the end of summer\ by jane kenyon, from
let evening come. copyright © 2005 by bloodaxe books.
reprinted by permission of bloodaxe books via copyright
clearance center.

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze the themes (loss of innocence, struggle toward understanding) and the options:

• Option A: Resignation doesn't align with "struggle toward understanding" or loss of innocence development.
• Option B: Proving others wrong is not supported by the poem's context.
• Option C: The speaker's excitement about growing up (relating to loss of innocence as childhood ends) and wondering what's left behind (struggle to understand the transition) matches the themes. The new books (learning, part of growing up) and the "only life I had" (childhood) show her moving from innocence, and the wonder about what's left behind is the struggle to understand the change.
• Option D: "Does not belong there anymore" is not evident; the focus is on growing up, not alienation from home.

Answer:

C. The speaker is excited to grow up, but she wonders how much she will leave behind.