Question

click to read \forgetfulness\ by billy collins. then answer the question.

what do the metaphors suggest about collinss thoughts on aging?

a. that he believes it is bearable in a loving relationship
b. that he believes it is a frightening experience
c. that he believes it only happens to the weak
d. that he believes it happens to everyone

Explanation:

Analyze the poem's metaphors

In Billy Collins's poem "Forgetfulness," the process of forgetting (associated with aging) is described through various metaphors, such as memories slipping away like retired authors, floating down a dark mythological river, or packing their bags and leaving. These metaphors depict the gradual, inevitable, and universal nature of memory loss as one grows older.

Evaluate the options

The poem emphasizes that memories leave one by one, affecting everyone as they age. It does not frame aging as something only bearable in a relationship, a terrifying horror, or a phenomenon restricted to the weak. Instead, the natural, passive, and steady departure of memories suggests that aging and forgetfulness are universal human experiences.

Answer:

• A. That he believes it is bearable in a loving relationship
• B. That he believes it is a frightening experience
• C. That he believes it only happens to the weak
• D. That he believes it happens to everyone (Correct answer)