Question

george gray
i have studied many times
the marble which was chiseled for me—
a boat with a furled sail at rest in a harbor.
in truth it pictures not my destination
but my life.
for love was offered me and i shrank from its disillusionment;
sorrow knocked at my door, but i was afraid;
ambition called to me, but i dreaded the chances.
yet all the while i hungered for meaning in my life.
and now i know that we must lift the sail
and catch the winds of destiny
wherever they drive the boat.
to put meaning in one’s life may end in madness.

which sentence is the best summary of the poem?

1. a person finds love and happiness through ambition.
2. a person reflects on a life lived without enthusiasm or zeal.
3. a person’s reflections on life change his attitude toward the past.
4. a person’s journey through life is filled with insurmountable obstacles.

Explanation:

The poem "George Gray" reflects on a life lived without taking chances or seeking meaning. Option 2 states "A person reflects on a life lived without enthusiasm or zeal," which aligns with the poem's theme of a life unfulfilled due to fear of taking risks (e.g., "I dreaded the chances" and the boat with a furled sail representing a life not fully lived). Option 1 is incorrect as the poem shows love led to disillusionment, not happiness. Option 3 focuses on reflections changing attitude, which is not the poem’s main point. Option 4 emphasizes insurmountable obstacles, but the poem is about a life not fully embraced, not external obstacles.

Answer:

1. A person reflects on a life lived without enthusiasm or zeal.