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Question

Difficulty: EasyTone, Voice, and Speaker Persona

Read the following poem carefully before answering the question.

The Lighthouse Keeper's Ledger

I log the wind, I count the rising tide,
And watch the ships that safely pass us by;
Within this granite tower I abide,
Beneath a cold and indifferent sky.
They think me lonely in my quiet routine,
Sweeping the lens and polishing the glass,
But in this steady, solitary scene,
I find a peace that nothing can surpass.

Based on the poem, the speaker's attitude toward their solitary life in the lighthouse is best described as which of the following?

  1. A
    Sorrowful and lonely
  2. B
    Bitter and resentful
  3. Peaceful and contentAnswer
  4. D
    Fearful and anxious
  5. E
    Indifferent and bored

Answer

Peaceful and content
The correct answer is correct because the speaker explicitly contrasts the external perception of their life ('They think me lonely') with their internal reality, declaring that they find a 'peace that nothing can surpass' in their quiet, solitary routine.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the speaker's description of their environment and daily routine in the first stanza.
The speaker performs repetitive tasks like logging the wind and counting tides under a 'cold and indifferent sky,' establishing a quiet, solitary setting.
Understanding the literal details of the speaker's environment helps set the context for their emotional response to it.
2
Identify the shift in tone and attitude that occurs in the second stanza.
The speaker addresses the external assumption that they are 'lonely' and contrasts it with their actual experience, stating they find 'peace' in their 'solitary scene.'
Identifying shifts in voice and attitude is crucial for determining the speaker's true perspective.
3
Synthesize the speaker's final declaration to determine their overall attitude.
The phrase 'a peace that nothing can surpass' indicates a state of deep contentment and tranquility, making 'peaceful and content' the correct description.
Selecting the option that aligns with the textual evidence confirms the correct answer.

Key Concept

Identifying speaker attitude and tone shifts in poetry
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Topics

Tone, Voice, and Speaker Persona

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