Question

Rather than present an idealized version of nature, Whitman expresses an unusual insight about nature in his poem "This Compost." Which statement best summarizes that insight?

Nature produces clean beauty from the rotting bodies of dead humans.

Nature appears deceptively safe when actually it is quite dangerous.

Nature's cycles are just like a human's life cycle.

Nature can hurt us through the poison in the earth, air, and water.

Answer 1

The statement that best summarizes Whitman's insight in "This Compost" is: **Nature's cycles are just like a human's life cycle.**

In the poem, Whitman explores the interconnectedness of life and death, illustrating how the decay of organic matter contributes to the renewal of life. This cyclical relationship emphasizes the parallel between nature's processes and human existence.