Milton! thou should'st be living at this hour:
England hath need of thee: she is a fen,superscript,1,baseline,
Of stagnant waters: alter, sword, and pen,
Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower,
Have forfeited their ancient English dower
Of inward happiness. We are selfish men;
Oh! raise us up, return to us again;
And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power.
Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart:
Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea:
Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free,
So didst thou travel on life's common way,
In cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart
The lowliest duties on herself did lay.
("London, 1802" by William Wordsworth)
,begin bold,,superscript,1,baseline,fen:,end bold, an area frequently flooded by water; a low-lying wetland, marsh
Question
What does the personification "she is a fen of stagnant waters" used in lines 2–3 mean?
Answer options with 4 options
1.
Nature can be beautiful as well as destructive and harmful.
2.
Excessive rain has threatened England's ability to fulfill its destiny.
3.
England's many problems prevent it from progressing as a nation.
4.
Freedom requires examining one's faults and taking steps to improve.
1 answer
The personification "she is a fen of stagnant waters" in lines 2–3 suggests that England is in a state of stagnation and struggle, implying that the nation is facing many problems that hinder its progress. The phrase likens England to a fen—a low-lying wetland that is often flooded and stagnant—indicating a lack of vitality and movement.
Thus, the best answer is:
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