Question

analyzing the overall effect of figurative language
i want them to waterski
across the surface of a poem
waving at the authors name on the shore.
but all they want to do
is tie the poem to a chair with rope
and torture a confession out of it.
they begin beating it with a hose
to find out what it really means.
what overall effect does collins create by using the metaphors of waterskiing and torture? choose the best answer.
○ he shows that he has a lot to learn from his students about reading poetry and getting the meaning out of it.
× he shows that readers should interpret poetry however they prefer to, even if it means torture.
○ he shows that students want a clear meaning from the poem, but poetry should not be limited to just one meaning.

Explanation:

• Analyze the metaphors: "waterski across the surface" implies a free, open - ended reading, while "tie...torture a confession" shows students' desire for a definite meaning.
• Evaluate Option 1: The poem doesn't show the author learning from students, so this is wrong.
• Evaluate Option 2: The metaphor of torture isn't about readers interpreting as they prefer; it's about forcing a single meaning, so this is wrong.
• Evaluate Option 3: The contrast between the author's wish (open - ended reading like waterskiing) and students' actions (torturing for a confession, i.e., forcing a single meaning) shows students want a clear meaning, but poetry shouldn't be limited to one meaning. This matches the metaphorical contrast.

Answer:

He shows that students want a clear meaning from the poem, but poetry should not be limited to just one meaning.