Question

Read the excerpt from "Fern” in Cane.

From the train window I saw her as I crossed the road. Saw her on her porch, head tilted a little forward where the nail was, eyes vaguely focused on the sunset. Saw her face flow into them, the countryside and something that I call God, flowing into them.

Which statement best describes Toomer’s use of diction in this excerpt?

The repetition of the phrase “saw her” suggests that the speaker is intensely focused on Fern.
The word “vaguely” implies that the speaker does not have much memory of his time with Fern.
The description of Fern’s head as “tilted a little forward” suggests that she be sleeping.
The use of the word “God” illustrates that the narrator and Fern are relying on religion to comfort them.

Answer 1

The first statement is best. The repeated "saw her" emphasizes the speaker’s intense, focused observation of Fern. The other choices misinterpret words—“vaguely” describes her gaze, not the narrator’s memory; “tilted a little forward” doesn’t necessarily mean she’s sleeping; and “God” evokes a transcendent quality the narrator perceives, not simply religious comfort.