Subway Wind by Claude McKay Far down, down through the city’s great, gaunt gut The gray train rushing bears the weary wind; In the packed cars the fans the crowd’s breath cut, Leaving the sick and heavy air behind. And pale-cheeked children seek the upper door To give their summer jackets to the breeze; Their laugh is swallowed in the deafening roar Of captive wind that moans for fields and seas; Seas cooling warm where native schooners drift Through sleepy waters, while gulls wheel and sweep, Waiting for windy waves the keels to lift Lightly among the islands of the deep; Islands of lofty palm trees blooming white That lend their perfume to the tropic sea, Where fields lie idle in the dew-drenched night, And the Trades float above them fresh and free. "Subway Wind" from Harlem Shadows: The Poems of Claude McKay by Claude McKay Question Use the poem “Subway Wind” by Claude McKay to answer the question. Which statement provides an analysis of the ambiguity in the poem? (1 point) Responses Either the wind or the speaker could long for tropical islands. Either the wind or the speaker could long for tropical islands. Both the speaker and the schooner could be traveling to the tropics. Both the speaker and the schooner could be traveling to the tropics. Both the subway train and the wind are moving through the tunnels. Both the subway train and the wind are moving through the tunnels. Either the children or the speaker could be going to the upper part of the subway.
1 answer
The statement that provides an analysis of the ambiguity in the poem is:
"Either the wind or the speaker could long for tropical islands."
This reflects the uncertainty in the poem regarding who is expressing longing for the tropics—the speaker, who describes the situation, or the wind, which is personified and suggests a yearning for open spaces and natural beauty.
