Question

The poem’s primary assertion about love concerns its
a. intensity and immediacy
b. ability to transform the beloved
c. tendency to burn whatever it touches
d. acceptance of the flaws of the beloved
e. brightness that makes everything else dull.

This is the passage:
"Yet, love, mere love, is beautiful indeed
And worthy of acceptation. Fire is bright,
Let temple burn, or flax; an equal light
Leaps in the flame from cedar-plank or weed:
And love is fire. And when I say at need
I love thee . . . mark! . . . I love thee—in thy sight
I stand transfigured, glorified aright,
With conscience of the new rays that proceed
Out of my face toward thine. There’s nothing low
In love, when love the lowest: meanest creatures
Who love God, God accepts while loving so.
And what I feel, across the inferior features
Of what I am, doth flash itself, and show
How that great work of Love enhances Nature’s"

I believe it is D but I would like a second opinion

Answer 1

I disagree.

Read the last three lines without pausing:
"And what I feel, across the inferior features of what I am, doth flash itself, and show how that great work of Love enhances Nature’s."

What do you think she means by "inferior features of what I am"?

Answer 2

The text "inferior features of what I am" best correlates with love transforms the beloved. Do you agree?

Answer 3

It's either b or d. I'd be hard-pressed to choose between them! Think about both of those, and try applying each meaning to those last lines.

Answer 4

Yes, I'm quite torn between the two options and both seem correct.

Answer 5

Since D was your first reaction, I'd go with that. Most of the time, our first reactions (not guessing!) are right. That's often why it's a big mistake to get all wobbly about answers on a test, whenever you have time to go back and read them over!!

Answer 6

what was the answer?

Answer 7

Go with your gut

Answer 8

b