Question

if i can stop one heart from breaking,
i shall not live in vain;
if i can ease one life the aching,
or cool one pain,
or help one fainting robin
unto his nest again,
i shall not live in vain.
-\if i can stop one heart from breaking,\
emily dickinson

based on the repetition of \i shall not live in vain,\ what is most likely the subject of the poem?

living life without pain
living life with questions
living life with a purpose
living life without worry

Explanation:

Analyze the repeated phrase

The repeated phrase "I shall not live in vain" emphasizes the speaker's desire to have a meaningful existence. Living "not... in vain" means that one's life has value, significance, and utility to others.

Connect repetition to the options

The poem lists acts of kindness and empathy—such as stopping a heart from breaking, easing an aching life, cooling a pain, or helping a fainting robin. Performing these helpful acts ensures the speaker's life has meaning, which directly corresponds to "living life with a purpose."

Answer:

• living life without pain
• living life with questions
• living life with a purpose (Correct answer)
• living life without worry