Passage 1

Question

adapted from Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Brontë

I then sat with my doll on my knee till the fire got low, glancing round occasionally to make sure that nothing worse than myself haunted the shadowy room; and when the embers sank to a dull red, I changed into my nightgown hastily, tugging at knots and strings as I best might, and sought shelter from cold and darkness in my crib. To this crib I always took my doll; human beings must love something, and, in the dearth of worthier objects of affection, I contrived to find a pleasure in loving and cherishing a faded graven image, shabby as a miniature scarecrow. It puzzles me now to remember with what absurd sincerity I doated on this little toy, half fancying it alive and capable of sensation. I could not sleep unless it was folded in my night-gown; and when it lay there safe and warm, I was comparatively happy, believing it to be happy likewise.

Passage 2
I wish I could remember that first day
by Christina Rossetti

I wish I could remember that first day,
First hour, first moment of your meeting me,
If bright or dim the season, it might be
Summer or Winter for aught I can say;
So unrecorded did it slip away,
So blind was I to see and to foresee,
So dull to mark the budding of my tree
That would not blossom yet for many a May.
If only I could recollect it, such
A day of days! I let it come and go
As traceless as a thaw of bygone snow;
It seemed to mean so little, meant so much;
If only now I could recall that touch,
First touch of hand in hand—Did one but know!

Which universal theme is most apparent in both passages?
A.
The future always holds more value than memories from the past.
B.
People often realize the value of love only when it is too late.
C.
The past is often filled with cherished memories of love and happiness.
D.
Remembering old times helps in building a better future for oneself.

Answer 1

The universal theme most apparent in both passages is:

B. People often realize the value of love only when it is too late.

In Passage 1, the speaker reflects on a love for a doll, hinting at a deep emotional attachment despite it being a toy. In Passage 2, the speaker expresses a longing to remember the first meeting with a loved one, indicating a recognition of its significance that was not fully appreciated at the time. Both passages convey a sense of nostalgia and the realization of love’s value, often recognized only in hindsight.