Question

in her 1921 poem spring, edna st. vincent millay subverts conventional depictions of springtime. instead of celebrating growth and renewal, millay disputes the merit of the season entirely.
which quotation from spring most effectively illustrates the claim?
choose 1 answer:
the sun is hot on my neck as i observe / the spikes of the crocus.
the smell of the earth is good. / it is apparent that there is no death.
to what purpose, april, do you return again? / beauty is not enough.
life in itself / is nothing, / an empty cup, a flight of uncarpeted stairs.

Explanation:

The claim is that Millay disputes the merit of spring (instead of celebrating it). The first two options celebrate spring ("the smell of the earth is good", observing spring elements). The fourth option is a general statement about life. The third option, by asking what purpose April (spring) has and saying "beauty is not enough", directly questions and disputes spring's merit.

Answer:

C. "To what purpose, April, do you return again? / Beauty is not enough."