Question

read the lines from \girl powdering her neck\ by cathy song, then look at the artwork by kitagawa utamaro.

her hair is black
with hints of red,
the color of seaweed
spread over rocks

morning begins the ritual
wheel of the body,
the application of translucent skins.
she practices pleasure
the pressure of three fingertips
applying powder.
fingerprints of pollen
some other hand will trace

the peach - dyed kimono
patterned with maple leaves

which statement best compares the use of imagery and color in the poem and artwork to portray the woman?

• the artwork’s use of color presents a woman of vigor and action, while the poem does not
• the poem portrays the woman as unrefined, while the painting presents her as cultured.
• the artwork suggests a woman in her home, while the poem’s figurative language connects her to nature.
• the poem suggests that the woman is aloof, while the painting shows her to be self - absorbed.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the poem's imagery: The poem uses nature-based comparisons like "hair is black with hints of red, the color of seaweed spread over rocks" and "fingerprints of pollen" to link the woman to the natural world.
2. Evaluate each option:

• Option 1: The poem does not lack vigor; it describes a deliberate, sensory ritual, so this is incorrect.
• Option 2: The poem portrays the woman's refined, intentional ritual, not unrefined, so this is incorrect.
• Option 3: Kitagawa Utamaro's artwork (a traditional ukiyo-e print of a woman grooming) places her in an intimate domestic space, while the poem's figurative language directly connects her to nature (seaweed, pollen). This matches.
• Option 4: The poem focuses on her intentional, sensory ritual, not aloofness, so this is incorrect.

Answer:

C. The artwork suggests a woman in her home, while the poem's figurative language connects her to nature.