Question

plied his skillful fingers
the strings that he had fashioned.
now was gladness rolled on gladness,
and the harmony of pleasure
echoed from the hills and mountains;
70 added singing to his playing,
out of joy did joy come welling,
now resounded marvellous music,
all of northland stopped and listened....

all the fish in suomi-waters
75 heard the songs of the magician,
came on flying fins to listen
to the harp of wainamoinen.
came the trout with graceful motions,
water-dogs with awkward movements,
80 from the water-cliffs the salmon,
from the sea-caves came the whiting,
from the deeper caves the bill-fish;
came the pike from beds of sea-fern,
little fish with eyes of scarlet,
85 leaning on the reeds and rushes,
with their heads above the surface;
came to hear the harp of joyance,

32
hossain, syed
how does modifying wainamoinen’s name with phrases like “ancient minstrel” and “sweet singer” contribute to the development of the poem?
a it suggests that the community praises him for his many roles.
b it implies that he feels he should not be defined by one quality.
c it demonstrates that the other characters refer to him by many names.
d it signals that he derives pleasure from being known throughout the land.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option B: The text doesn't show Wainamoinen's feelings about being defined, so eliminate.
• Option C: The phrases are descriptive, not showing other characters' naming, eliminate.
• Option D: The text focuses on others' response, not his pleasure from fame, eliminate.
• Option A: Phrases like "ancient minstrel" and "sweet singer" highlight his roles, and the community (Northland, fish) reacting positively suggests praise for these roles.

Answer:

A. It suggests that the community praises him for his many roles.