Read the following lines from “Song” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Question

Weary and homesick and distressed,
They wander east, they wander west,
And are baffled and beaten and blown about
By the winds of the wilderness of doubt;
5 To stay at home is best.
Which of the following best describes the poet’s word choice in these lines? Choose two options.
A.
In line 1, he uses slang suitable to the topic.
B.
In line 2, he uses informal language to connect with the audience.
C.
In line 3, he intensifies the feeling in the poem by repeating a general idea.
D.
In line 4, he uses figurative language to reinforce the feelings he is describing.
E.
In line 5, he uses figurative language to drive home the lesson he is presenting.

Answer 1

The two options that best describe the poet's word choice in the specified lines are:

C. In line 3, he intensifies the feeling in the poem by repeating a general idea. D. In line 4, he uses figurative language to reinforce the feelings he is describing.

Line 3 emphasizes the overall sense of struggle and confusion, while line 4 employs figurative language ("winds of the wilderness of doubt") to vividly illustrate the feelings of being lost and overwhelmed.