Question

in this excerpt from the poem \thanatopsis\ by william cullen bryant, what is the meaning of the word swain?
thine individual being, shalt thou go
to mix forever with the elements,
to be a brother to the insensible rock
and to the sluggish clod, which the rude swain
turns with his share, and treads upon. the oak
shall send his roots abroad, and pierce thy mold.
a. a young vineyard worker
b. a young boy who hunts wild animals
c. a young shepherd or country boy
d. a very unpleasant person

Explanation:

To determine the meaning of "swain" in the poem, we analyze the context. The line mentions the swain "turns with his share (a plowshare, used in farming) and treads upon" the clod (soil). A "swain" historically refers to a young shepherd or country boy, especially in pastoral or rural contexts. Option A focuses on vineyard work, which isn't indicated. Option B (hunter) doesn't match the farming context. Option D (unpleasant person) is incorrect as "rude" here means rustic, not unpleasant. So the correct meaning aligns with option C.

Answer:

C. a young shepherd or country boy