Question

throughout the poem, yeats pairs certain images through his rhyme scheme. in the final stanza, \moon\ (line 22) rhymes with \done\ (line 21), and \sun\ (line 23) rhymes with \done\ (line 21). how does this rhyme pattern help emphasize the eternal nature of the speakers quest?
a. the rhymes make the cosmic images of moon and sun seem disconnected from the speakers journey
b. by rhyming both \moon\ and \sun\ with \done,\ the poem suggests these celestial cycles will continue even after time ends, just like the speakers endless search
c. the rhyme pattern makes it difficult to understand which images are most important
d. the similar sounds create confusion about when the quest will actually end

Explanation:

In poetry, rhyme schemes can carry symbolic meaning. The moon and sun are celestial bodies with cyclical patterns (day - night cycle for the sun and phases for the moon). By rhyming them with "done", it creates a connection. If something is "done", it implies an end. But the fact that these eternal celestial bodies (which have their own unending cycles) are rhymed with "done" can be seen as a contrast. It suggests that even when something (like a normal, finite process) is "done", these celestial cycles (and by extension, the speaker's quest which is compared to them) continue.
Option A is incorrect because the rhymes actually connect the celestial images to the theme of the quest (through the contrast with "done"). Option C is wrong as the rhyme scheme is not about confusing the importance of images. Option D is incorrect because the rhyme is not about creating confusion about the end of the quest but rather emphasizing its eternal nature. Option B correctly interprets the rhyme - the celestial cycles (moon and sun) will continue (like the speaker's quest) even when a normal "done" (end of a finite process) occurs.

Answer:

B. By rhyming both “moon” and “sun” with “done,” the poem suggests these celestial cycles will continue even after time ends, just like the speaker's endless search