Question

hope
hope was but a timid friend—
she sat without my grated den
watching how my fate would tend
even as selfish - hearted men.

5
she was cruel in her fear.
through the bars, one dreary day,
i looked out to see her there
and she turned her face away!

10
like a false guard false watch keeping
still in strife she whispered peace;
she would sing while i was weeping;
if i listened, she would cease.

false she was, and unrelenting.
when my last joys strewed the ground
even sorrow saw repenting
those sad relics scattered round;

hope—whose whisper would have given

what does the author emphasize by selecting the title \hope\?
○ hope will be the name of the speaker in the poem.
○ hope implies a multitude of meanings for the reader.
○ hope will be the central focus of the poem.
○ hope will be the opposite of what is expected in the poem.

Explanation:

To determine the answer, we analyze the poem's title "Hope" and the options:

• Option 1: The poem doesn't suggest "Hope" is the speaker's name.
• Option 2: The title "Hope" and the poem's content (describing Hope's actions, fear, etc.) show Hope is central, making this correct.
• Option 3: The title alone doesn't imply multiple meanings for the reader; it focuses on Hope as a central figure.
• Option 4: The poem's tone (e.g., "cruel in her fear", "false, and unrelenting") shows Hope isn't the opposite of expectations in a clear way, and the title emphasizes its centrality more.

Answer:

B. Hope will be the central focus of the poem.