Question

figurative language
to the river by edgar allan poe
fair river! in thy bright, clear flow
of crystal, wandering water,
thou art an emblem of the glow
of beauty, the unhidden heart,
the playful maziness of art
in old albertos daughter;
but when within thy wave she looks,
which glistens then, and trembles,
why, then, the prettiest of brooks
her worshiper resembles;
for in his heart, as in thy stream,
her image deeply lies,
his heart which trembles at the beam
of her soul - searching eyes.
the words \bright\ and \glow\
highlight the -
a liveliness of the river
b brilliance of the day
c beauty of the girl
d contrast with her worshiper
what is the second stanza mostly about?
a a deep love that formed by the stream.
b the poets love for albertos daughter.
c how the brook glistens in the sun.
d albertos daughter and her eyes.
short answer: what do you think the poet means in the final line?

Explanation:

• First Question:
• The poem uses the river as an emblem. The words "bright" and "glow" are used to describe the river which is compared to the beauty (the unhidden heart, the playful maziness of art in old Alberto's daughter). So they highlight the beauty of the girl (as the river is an emblem of her).
• Second Question:
• The second stanza talks about when "she" (Alberto's daughter) looks into the wave (of the river). The poet then relates it to the worshiper (presumably the poet himself) whose heart has her image (as the stream has her reflection when she looks). So it's about the poet's love for Alberto's daughter.
• Third Question:
• The final line "His heart which trembles at the beam Of her soul - searching eyes" means that the poet's (or the worshiper's) heart is affected (trembles) by the power (beam) of her eyes which seem to look into his soul (soul - searching).

Answer:

• First Question: C. beauty of the girl
• Second Question: B. The poet's love for Alberto's daughter.
• Third Question: The poet means that his heart is affected (trembles) by the power (beam) of her eyes which seem to look into his soul (soul - searching).