Question

and the grasshopper laughs in the merry scene;
when mary, and susan, and emily
with their sweet round mouths sing, \ha ha he!\
when the painted birds laugh in the shade,
when our table with cherries and nuts is spread;
come live, and be merry, and join with me,
to sing the sweet chorus of \ha ha he!\

this poem uses the word \laughs\ to describe several elements of nature. what effect does this give the poem?

a allowing things in nature the human quality of laughter gives the poem an immature feel.

b allowing things in nature the human quality of laughter gives the poem a light, happy feel.

c allowing things in nature the human quality of laughter gives the poem a silly, obnoxious feel.

d allowing things in nature the human quality of laughter gives the poem a hollow, ordinary feel.

Explanation:

The poem uses personification (giving human quality "laughs" to nature elements like grasshopper, birds). Personification here creates a light, happy tone as the scenes (merry scene, sweet chorus, table with cherries/nuts) are joyful. Option A's "immature" is incorrect, C's "silly, obnoxious" is wrong, D's "hollow, ordinary" doesn't fit. So B is correct.

Answer:

B. Allowing things in nature the human quality of laughter gives the poem a light, happy feel.