Question

Barter
by Sara Teasdale

Life has loveliness to sell,
All beautiful and splendid things,
Blue waves whitened on a cliff,
Soaring fire that sways and sings.
5 And children’s faces looking up
Holding wonder like a cup.

Life has loveliness to sell,
Music like a curve of gold,
Scent of pine trees in the rain,
10
Eyes that love you, arms that hold,
And for your spirit’s still delight,
Holy thoughts that star the night.

Spend all you have for loveliness,
Buy it and never count the cost;
15 For one white singing hour of peace
Count many a year of strife well lost,
And for a breath of ecstasy
Give all you have been, or could be.
____________________________________________________
Sara Teasdale, “Barter.” The Macmillan Company; Norwood, Mass; 1918.


Read lines 3–4.

Blue waves whitened on a cliff,
Soaring fire that sways and sings.

Which theme can be inferred from the imagery used in these lines?
A. Nature is delightful and frightening at the same time.
B. The way nature changes and moves is magnificent to behold.
C. We must protect the natural beauty found on land and in the sea.
D. The beautiful sights and sounds of nature remind us how lonely life can be.

Answer 1

B. The way nature changes and moves is magnificent to behold.

The images emphasize motion and beauty ("waves whitened," "soaring fire that sways and sings"), highlighting nature’s dynamic, awe-inspiring qualities rather than danger, protection, or loneliness.