Question

Longing by Paul Laurence Dunbar

How does the use of the word complaining about the meaning in the first stanza?

it, connects the sea to the speakers feelings

it makes the sea negative force in the poem

it shows that a storm is about to happen

it indicates that the sea is an important character

Answers

GPT-4o mini
In the first stanza of "Longing" by Paul Laurence Dunbar, if we consider the use of the word "complaining," it primarily suggests that the sea reflects the speaker's feelings of unrest or dissatisfaction. This connection can be interpreted as:

- **It connects the sea to the speaker's feelings:** The personification of the sea as "complaining" implies that the speaker's emotions are intertwined with the natural world, emphasizing a shared sense of yearning or turmoil.

Therefore, the best answer from the provided options would be:

**It connects the sea to the speaker's feelings.**

This interpretation highlights how the speaker's internal struggle is mirrored in the chaotic or tumultuous nature of the sea.