Question

question 8 of 10

click to read the poem \loveliest of trees, the cherry now\ by a. e. housman. then answer the question.

what is one possible theme of the poem?

a. things that are important sometimes take a long time to happen.
b. life is short, so its important to enjoy it as much as possible.
c. cherry blossoms are beautiful when they bloom all at once.
d. year after year, the cherry blossoms will return to be enjoyed by all.

Explanation:

Analyze the poem's core message

A. E. Housman's poem "Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now" describes a speaker who is twenty years old and calculates that, out of an expected seventy-year lifespan, they only have fifty years left to live. Because fifty years is a relatively short time to appreciate the beauty of nature (specifically the blooming cherry trees), the speaker resolves to go out and enjoy the woodlands in both spring and winter.

Evaluate the answer choices

• Option A: Incorrect. The poem does not focus on patience or waiting for important things to happen.
• Option B: Correct. The speaker's mathematical calculation of their remaining years emphasizes the brevity of life, leading to the conclusion that one must actively seek out and enjoy life's beauty while there is still time (a "carpe diem" or "seize the day" theme).
• Option C: Incorrect. This is a literal detail about cherry blossoms rather than a thematic statement about human life.
• Option D: Incorrect. The poem focuses on the speaker's limited time to observe nature, not on the guaranteed return of the blossoms for everyone.

Answer:

• (A) Things that are important sometimes take a long time to happen.
• (B) Life is short, so it's important to enjoy it as much as possible. (Correct answer)
• (C) Cherry blossoms are beautiful when they bloom all at once.
• (D) Year after year, the cherry blossoms will return to be enjoyed by all.