Question

the passing of the hours
by ella higginson

1 the hours steal by with stils, unmasking lips—
2 so lightly that i cannot hear their tread;
3 and softly touch me with their finger - tips
4 to find if i be dreaming, or be dead.
5 and yet however still their flight may be,
6 their ceaseless going weights my heart with tears;
7 these touches will have wrought deep scars on me—
8 when the light hours have worn to heavy years.

steal: move quietly or surreptitiously
still: quiet

which statement best explains how the word \light\ in line 8 contributes to the poem’s central idea?
a. it shows the speaker remembers only the lightest, happiest moments of life.

b. it shows that the speaker believes the happiest years are in the distant future.

c. it contrasts the early ease of time with the painful weight it creates over years.

d. it reveals that the speaker thinks only brief moments of life truly matter.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the poem's line "When the light hours have worn to heavy years" and the options:

• Option A: The line doesn't focus on remembering only happy moments. Eliminate.
• Option B: The line doesn't relate to believing happiest years are in the future. Eliminate.
• Option C: "Light hours" (early, easy time) vs "heavy years" (painful, burdensome over time) shows a contrast. This matches the line's implication.
• Option D: The line isn't about brief moments mattering. Eliminate.

Answer:

C. It contrasts the early ease of time with the painful weight it creates over years.