Question

figurative language
the enemies by elizabeth jennings
last night they came across the river and
entered the city. women were awake
with lights and food. they entertained the band,
not asking what the men had come to take
or what strange tongue they spoke
or why they came so suddenly through the land.
now in the morning all the town is filled
with stories of the swift and dark invasion:
the women say that not one stranger told
a reason for his coming. the intrusion
was not for devastation;
peace is apparent still on hearth and field.
yet all the city is a haunted place.
man meeting man speaks cautiously. old friends
close up the candid looks upon their face.
there is no warmth in hands accepting hands:
each ponders, better hide myself in case
those strangers have set up their homes in minds
i used to walk in. better draw the blinds
even if the strangers haunt in my own house.
which theme is explored in the poem?
a fear of strangers can erode trust.
b welcome strangers with open arms.
c the morning will bring a new day.
d try and see the good within others.
when the poet says, in minds i used to walk in, what can
the reader infer?
a she believes she should know better.
b she means people she was friends with.
c she thinks things will be different.
d she needs space by walking.
short answer: who do you think is the enemy?

Explanation:

1. First question

• In the poem, the women welcomed the strangers (the men who came across the river) with lights, food, and entertainment. But in the morning, due to fear (as they didn't know the strangers' intentions), trust was eroded. People became cautious, hid their true selves, etc. Option A "Fear of strangers can erode trust" is correct. Option B is incorrect because the poem shows that welcoming strangers (without knowing them) led to a negative outcome (erosion of trust). Option C is not related to the main theme of the poem. Option D is also not in line with the poem's message as the poem focuses on the negative impact of fear of strangers, not seeing good in others.

1. Second question

• The phrase "in minds I used to walk in" is a metaphor. It implies people's minds (thoughts and feelings). If she "used to walk in" those minds, it means she was close to those people (in a sense of understanding or being friends). Option B "She means people she was friends with" is correct. Option A is not supported by the context. Option C is not related to the meaning of this specific phrase. Option D misinterprets the metaphorical "walk in" as a physical walk.

1. Third question

• The enemy is the fear of the unknown (the strangers). The strangers themselves were not for devastation (as stated "The intrusion Was not for devastation; Peace is apparent still on hearth and field"), but the fear of them (the fear that they might be a threat) caused the city to become a "haunted place", eroded trust, and made people act cautiously.

Answer:

1. A. Fear of strangers can erode trust.
2. B. She means people she was friends with.
3. The enemy is the fear of the unknown (the strangers).