Question

excerpt from dover beach by matthew arnold the sea is calm tonight. the tide is full, the moon lies fair upon the straits; on the french coast the light gleams and is gone; the cliffs of england stand, glimmering and vast, out in the tranquil bay. come to the window, sweet is the night - air! only, from the long line of spray where the sea meets the moon - blanched land, listen! you hear the grating roar of pebbles which the waves draw back, and fling, at their return, up the high strand, begin, and cease, and then again begin, with tremulous cadence slow, and bring the eternal note of sadness in. select the correct answer. what is the figurative meaning of the moon in the passage? a. light b. passing of time c. sleep d. soothing feelings

Explanation:

In the poem "Dover Beach", the moon's presence in the context of the tide and the calm sea, along with the overall reflective and somewhat melancholic tone, suggests that the moon here symbolizes the passing of time. The imagery of the tide, moon, and the changing scene (like the light on the cliffs being gone) implies a sense of transience, which aligns with the idea of the passing of time. Option A (light) is too literal, option C (sleep) doesn't fit the context, and option D (soothing feelings) is not supported by the surrounding imagery which later has a more somber tone. So the figurative meaning of the moon is the passing of time.

Answer:

B. passing of time