Question

read the poem.
hegira
by georgia douglas johnson
georgia douglas johnson was a well - known writer of the harlem renaissance. she wrote plays, poems, and a syndicated newspaper column. her poem “hegira,” which means “exodus” or “migration,” was published in bronze a book of verse (1922)
oh, black man, why do you northward roam, and leave all the farm lands bare?
is your house not warm, tightly thatched from storm, and a larder replete your share?
and have you not schools, fit with books and tools the steps of your young to guide?
the line “up its perilous height, in the pale morning light,” in the second - to - last stanza, implies that it is a long climb up calvary’s hill.
given this, what is most likely the meaning of perilous?
○ bitter
○ hazardous
○ rocky
○ steep

Explanation:

To determine the meaning of "perilous" in the context of "Up its perilous height, in the pale morning light" (implying a long climb up Calvary’s hill), we analyze the options:

• "Bitter" refers to taste or emotion, not fitting the context of a climb.
• "Hazardous" means dangerous, which aligns with a perilous (risky) climb, especially up a significant hill like Calvary’s.
• "Rocky" describes a surface, but the focus is on the danger of the climb, not just the terrain.
• "Steep" refers to slope, but "perilous" emphasizes danger, not just incline. So "hazardous" is the best fit.

Answer:

hazardous