Read the following poem, 'The Desk-Bound Giant' (2024), carefully:
The clock strikes eight, and once again he stands
Before the desk of spreadsheets and of files,
To push the heavy stone with weary hands,
Across the screen in dry, endless miles.
Though no peak crowns this corporate, daily climb,
Like Sisyphus he starts the task anew,
A silent captive of the clockwork time,
Under the fluorescent ceiling's hue.
In the context of the poem, which of the following best describes the function of the allusion to Sisyphus?
- Asuggest that the poet is personally overwhelmed by the demands of writing poetry
- Bidentify the poem's use of a simile comparing the worker to a mythological figure
- emphasize the repetitive and futile nature of the worker's daily routineAnswer
- Dreveal a shift in the worker's attitude from frustration to triumphant accomplishment
- Eimply that the worker will eventually overcome their struggles through physical strength
Answer
emphasize the repetitive and futile nature of the worker's daily routine
The allusion to Sisyphus, a figure from Greek mythology condemned to roll a boulder up a hill for eternity, functions to emphasize the repetitive and futile nature of the office worker's daily tasks. Just as Sisyphus must repeat his task endlessly with no final success, the worker must return to the same digital files every day.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Understanding the thematic function of allusions in poetry