Question

the chambered nautilus (1858) — oliver wendell holmes, sr.
this is the ship of pearl, which poets feign
sails the unshadowed main,—
the venturous bark that flings
on the sweet summer wind its purpled wings
5 in gulfs enchanted, where the siren sings,
and coral reefs lie bare,
where the cold sea-maids rise to sun their streaming hair.
its webs of living gauze no more unfurl;
wrecked is the ship of pearl!
10 and every chambered cell,
where its dim, dreaming life was wont to dwell,
as the frail tenant shaped his growing shell,
before thee lies revealed,—
its irised ceiling rent, its sunless crypt unsealed!
15 year after year beheld the silent toil
that spread his lustrous coil;
still, as the spiral grew,
he left the past years dwelling for the new,
stole with soft step its shining archway through,
20 built up its idle door,
stretched in his last-found home, and knew the old no more.
thanks for the heavenly message brought by thee,
child of the wandering sea,
cast from her lap, forlorn!
25 from thy dead lips a clearer note is born
than ever triton blew from wreathed horn!
build thee more stately mansions, o my soul...

what tone best describes the final stanza (lines 21–27)?

a. encouraging and inspirational
b. angry and disappointed
c. mysterious and frightening
d. doubtful and confused

Explanation:

Identify the target stanza

The question asks for the tone of the final stanza (lines 21–27) of "The Chambered Nautilus" by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Analyze the text of the final stanza

Let's read lines 21–27:
"Thanks for the heavenly message brought by thee,
Child of the wandering sea,
Cast from her lap, forlorn!
From thy dead lips a clearer note is born
Than ever Triton blew from wreathed horn!
Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul..."

Determine the tone and message

In this stanza, the speaker expresses gratitude ("Thanks for the heavenly message") and delivers an uplifting, spiritual exhortation to his own soul ("Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul"). This is an active application of Poetic Analysis and understanding the Theme and Message of spiritual growth. The language is elevated, hopeful, and deeply motivating.

Evaluate the multiple-choice options

• Option A: "Encouraging and inspirational" directly matches the uplifting call to build "more stately mansions" and the gratitude for a "heavenly message."
• Option B: "Angry and disappointed" contradicts the grateful and elevated language.
• Option C: "Mysterious and frightening" does not fit the clear, positive spiritual message.
• Option D: "Doubtful and confused" is incorrect as the speaker is highly certain and purposeful.

Select the correct option

Option A is the best description of the tone.

Answer:

• (A) Encouraging and inspirational (Correct answer)
• (B) Angry and disappointed
• (C) Mysterious and frightening
• (D) Doubtful and confused