Question

excerpt from thomas hardy’s tess of the d’urbervilles: the trees have inquisitive eyes, haven’t they?—that is, seem as if they had. and the river says, “why do ye trouble me with your looks?” and you seem to see numbers of tomorrows just all in a line, the first of them the biggest and clearest, the others getting smaller and smaller as they stand farther away; but they all seem fierce and cruel as if they said, “i’m coming! beware of me! beware of me!” what is the effect of personifying the trees and river in this passage? a. it reflects tess’s connection to nature b. it adds a sense of ominous foreboding and observation c. it makes the environment seem welcoming and peaceful d. it highlights the beauty of rural life what does the imagery of “fierce and cruel” tomorrows in tess of the d’urbervilles suggest? a. the beauty of rural life b. the inevitability of personal success c. a foreboding view of the future d. optimism about industrial progress what central value often tied to religious beliefs was emphasized in victorian life? a. moral responsibility b. political power c. economic prosperity d. artistic expression

Explanation:

First Question (Effect of Personification)

• Analyze each option:
• Option a: The passage’s personification doesn’t focus on Tess’s connection to nature. The trees and river’s actions (inquisitive eyes, asking about looks) are more about a foreboding tone.
• Option b: Trees have “inquisitive eyes” (observing) and tomorrows are “fierce and cruel” with “Beware of me!” This creates an ominous, foreboding feeling. The river’s question also adds to a sense of observation.
• Option c: The tone is not welcoming/peaceful—“fierce and cruel” and “Beware” contradict this.
• Option d: The passage doesn’t highlight rural beauty; it focuses on a tense, foreboding nature.

• Analyze each option:
• Option a: “Fierce and cruel” doesn’t relate to rural beauty.
• Option b: The imagery is negative, not about personal success.
• Option c: “Fierce and cruel” tomorrows with “I’m coming! Beware!” suggest a worrying, foreboding view of the future.
• Option d: The passage has no connection to industrial progress optimism.

• Analyze each option:
• Option a: Victorian religious beliefs emphasized moral responsibility (ethics, duty tied to faith).
• Option b: Political power is not a central religious - tied value in Victorian life.
• Option c: Economic prosperity is more about industrial/capitalist themes, not religiously tied.
• Option d: Artistic expression is not a core religious - tied Victorian value.

Answer:

b. It adds a sense of ominous foreboding and observation

Second Question (Imagery of “Fierce and Cruel” Tomorrows)