Question

the seen, the known
dissolve in iridescence, become
illusive flesh of light
that was not, was, forever is.
o light beheld as through refracting tears.
here is the aura of that world
each of us has lost.
here is the shadow of its joy.
—“monet’s ‘waterlilies,’”
robert hayden
how does the underlined simile add meaning to the
poem?
○ it explains why monet painted this scene.
○ it creates imagery that appeals to hearing.
○ it describes the use of light in the painting.
○ it connects back to a historical event.

Explanation:

• Analyze Option 1: The simile is about how light is beheld, not why Monet painted the scene. Eliminate.
• Analyze Option 2: The simile involves sight (refracting tears affecting vision), not hearing. Eliminate.
• Analyze Option 3: The simile “O light beheld as through refracting tears” describes the light in the painting (Monet’s Waterlilies) by comparing the way light is seen to seeing through tears (which refracts light), so it describes the use of light in the painting.
• Analyze Option 4: The simile has no connection to a historical event. Eliminate.

Answer:

C. It describes the use of light in the painting.