Question

read the poem songs for the people.
let me make the songs for the people,
songs for the old and young!
songs to stir like a battle - cry
wherever they are sung.
not for the clashing of sabres,
for carnage nor for strife;
but songs to thrill the hearts of men
with more abundant life.
let me make the songs for the weary,
amid lifes fever and fret,
till hearts shall relax their tension,
and careworn brows forget.
let me sing for little children,
before their footsteps stray,
sweet anthems of love and duty,
to float oer lifes highway.
i would sing for the poor and aged,
when shadows dim their sight;
of the bright and restful mansions,
where there shall be no night.
our world, so worn and weary,
needs music, pure and strong,
to hush the jangle and discords
of sorrow, pain, and wrong.
music to soothe all its sorrow,
till war and crime shall cease;
and the hearts of men grown tender
girdle the world with peace.
frances ellen watkins harper, songs for the people
how does the poet develop the theme in this poem?
by positioning songs as an antidote to division and strife, the poet describes music as a transformative force that can unite people.
by depicting how music is most powerful when it is inspired by someone in distress, the poet indicates that great music often requires an element of tragedy.
by describing how people settle their differences through art instead of conflict, the poet suggests that music helps us understand others, no matter who they are.
by illustrating how a single song cannot speak to every groups experiences, the poet conveys the challenge of creating music that appeals to everyone.

Explanation:

To determine how the poet develops the theme, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: The poem presents songs as not for strife/carnage but to bring abundant life, soothe, and promote peace. It positions music as an antidote to division (e.g., "Music to soothe all its sorrows, Till war and crime shall cease") and a unifying force. This matches the poem's focus on music's transformative, uniting power.
• Option 2: The poem doesn't emphasize tragedy as a requirement for great music; it focuses on music's healing/ uniting role, so this is incorrect.
• Option 3: The poem doesn't describe people settling differences through art; it focuses on music's emotional/peace - bringing impact, not understanding others, so this is incorrect.
• Option 4: The poem shows music for various groups (old/young, weary, children, poor/aged) and its unifying power, not the challenge of appealing to all. So this is incorrect.

Answer:

A. By positioning songs as an antidote to division and strife, the poet describes music as a transformative force that can unite people.