Question

by Katherine Mansfield The discreet door shut with a click. She was outside on the step, gazing at the winter afternoon. Rain was falling, and with the rain it seemed the dark came too, spinning down like ashes. There was a cold bitter taste in the air, and the new-lighted lamps looked sad. Sad were the lights in the houses opposite. Dimly they burned as if regretting something. And people hurried by, hidden under their hateful umbrellas. Rosemary felt a strange pang. She pressed her muff to her breast; she wished she had the little box, too, to cling to. Of course, the car was there. She’d only to cross the pavement. But still she waited. There are moments, horrible moments in life, when one emerges from shelter and looks out, and it’s awful. One oughtn’t to give way to them. One ought to go home and have an extra-special tea. "A Cup of Tea" by Katherine Mansfield Question Use the passage to answer the question. Which detail suggests the theme of nature being subject to humanity’s perception of it? (1 point) Responses “The discreet door shut with a click.” “The discreet door shut with a click.” “Rain was falling, and with the rain it seemed the dark came too, spinning down like ashes.” “Rain was falling, and with the rain it seemed the dark came too, spinning down like ashes.” “One ought to go home and have an extra-special tea.” “One ought to go home and have an extra-special tea.” “Dimly they burned as if regretting something.”

Answer 1

The detail that suggests the theme of nature being subject to humanity’s perception of it is: “Dimly they burned as if regretting something.” This line indicates how the lights are perceived with an emotional quality, reflecting a human sentiment onto the natural scene, thus highlighting the theme of nature being interpreted through human feelings and experiences.