Question

the chambered nautilus (1858) - oliver wendell holmes, sr.
this is the ship of pearl, which poets feign
sails the unshadowed main,-
the venturous bark that flings
on the sweet summer wind its purpled wings
5 in gulfs enchanted, where the siren sings,
and coral reefs lie bare,
where the cold sea-maids rise to sun their streaming hair.
its webs of living gauze no more unfurl;
wrecked is the ship of pearl!
10 and every chambered cell,
where its dim, dreaming life was wont to dwell,
as the frail tenant shaped his growing shell,
before thee lies revealed,-
its irised ceiling rent, its sunless crypt unsealed!
15 year after year beheld the silent toil
that spread his lustrous coil;
still, as the spiral grew,
he left the past years dwelling for the new,
stole with soft step its shining archway through,
20 built up its idle door,
stretched in his last-found home, and knew the old no more.
thanks for the heavenly message brought by thee,
child of the wandering sea,
cast from her lap, forlorn!
25 from thy dead lips a clearer note is born
than ever triton blew from wreathed horn!
build thee more stately mansions, o my soul...

lines 15-20 mainly emphasize the nautiluss-
a. constant return to earlier stages
b. careful protection of its old shells
c. steady construction of new, larger spaces
d. fear of change and movement

Explanation:

Analyze the question prompt

The question asks what lines 15–20 mainly emphasize about the nautilus.

Examine the specified lines

Using the Textual Analysis knowledge point, we examine the text:
"Year after year beheld the silent toil
That spread his lustrous coil;
Still, as the spiral grew,
He left the past year's dwelling for the new,
Stole with soft step its shining archway through,
Built up its idle door,"

Interpret the textual evidence

Using the Textual Analysis knowledge point, we analyze the meaning:
The lines describe "silent toil" to grow its "spiral," leaving "the past year's dwelling for the new" and building up doors to close off old chambers. This emphasizes the continuous creation of new, larger chambers.

Evaluate the multiple-choice options

Using the Textual Analysis knowledge point, we compare options:

• Option A contradicts leaving the past dwelling.
• Option B is incorrect as it leaves old dwellings behind.
• Option C directly matches the description of building new, larger spiral chambers.
• Option D contradicts the active movement and growth described.

Answer:

• (A) constant return to earlier stages
• (B) careful protection of its old shells
• (C) steady construction of new, larger spaces (Correct answer)
• (D) fear of change and movement