Question

read the excerpt from \introduction to poetry\ by billy collins.

they begin beating it with a hose
to find out what it really means.

how does the figurative language in this excerpt reveal collinss message?

it criticizes the way some readers try to understand a poem.
it criticizes the violent themes found in modern poetry.
it suggests that the study of poetry requires physical strength.
it suggests that every poem has a simple meaning.

Explanation:

Analyze the figurative language in the excerpt

The excerpt "They begin beating it with a hose / to find out what it really means" uses a violent metaphor of torture ("beating it with a hose") to describe how readers or students aggressively analyze a poem to force a meaning out of it.

Connect the metaphor to the author's message

This hyperbolic and humorous metaphor criticizes the over-analysis and forced interpretation of poetry, showing that readers often try to extract meaning through harsh, mechanical, or aggressive methods rather than experiencing and enjoying the poem naturally.

Evaluate the given options

• Option 1 directly aligns with this analysis by stating that it criticizes the way some readers try to understand a poem.
• Option 2 is incorrect because the poem is not about violent themes in modern poetry itself.
• Option 3 is incorrect because the physical violence is metaphorical, not a literal requirement of physical strength.
• Option 4 is incorrect because the poem argues against forcing a single, simple meaning out of a poem.

Answer:

• (A) It criticizes the way some readers try to understand a poem. (Correct answer)
• (B) It criticizes the violent themes found in modern poetry.
• (C) It suggests that the study of poetry requires physical strength.
• (D) It suggests that every poem has a simple meaning.