Question

the passing of the hours
by ella higginsson
1 the hours steal by with still, unasking 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 describes a theme developed in the poem?
a. human beings can control how quickly time passes if they use it wisely.
b. remembering joyful moments can erase the pain caused by time.
c. time is most frightening when it passes loudly and suddenly.
d. the silent passing of time can lead to deep sorrow and regret.

Explanation:

To determine the theme, analyze the poem: Lines like "the hours steal by with still, unasking lips", "touches will have wrought deep scars", and "light hours have worn to heavy years" suggest time passes silently (steal, still) and brings deep sorrow/scars (regret).

• Option A: The poem shows time moves independently ("steal by"), so humans can’t control it. Eliminate A.
• Option B: The poem focuses on time’s pain, not joy erasing pain. Eliminate B.
• Option C: The poem describes time as silent ("still", "steal"), not "loudly and suddenly". Eliminate C.
• Option D: The silent passing (steal, still) leads to deep scars/sorrow (regret), matching the poem’s tone.

Answer:

D. The silent passing of time can lead to deep sorrow and regret.