Question

Consider the painting and the related poem.

The Harvesters by Bruegel



"The Corn Harvest" by William Carlos Williams

Summer !
the painting is organized
about a young

reaper enjoying his
noonday rest
completely

relaxed
from his morning labors
sprawled

in fact sleeping
unbuttoned
on his back

the women
have brought him his lunch
perhaps

a spot of wine
they gather gossiping
under a tree

whose shade
carelessly
he does not share the

resting
center of
their workaday world.

Which statement best describes how Williams’s poem represents the painting?

Williams clarifies historical detail by describing the time period.
Williams offers social commentary by critiquing farm labor practices.
Williams narrates the scene by describing characters’ actions.
Williams brings the farm to life by quoting dialogue and sounds.

Answer 1

Williams narrates the scene by describing characters’ actions.

The poem recounts what people in the painting are doing (the young reaper sleeping, the women bringing lunch and gossiping) rather than giving historical context, critiquing labor, or quoting dialogue.