Question

poems is an 1895 collection of poetry by frances ew. harper. in one of harper’s poems, the speaker declares a desire to create art that has a universal appeal across generations, saying
which quotation from poems most effectively illustrates the claim?
a. “our world, so worn and weary, / needs music, pure and strong. /to hush the jangle and discords /of sorrow, pain, and wrong.” (from “songs for the people”)
b. “let me make the songs for the people, /songs for the old and young: /songs to stir like a battle - cry/wherever they are sung.” (from “songs for the people”)
c. “god bless our native land, / land of the newly free, /oh may she ever stand /for truth and liberty.” (from “god bless our native land”)
d. “my mother’s kiss, my mother’s kiss, /i feel its impress now; / as in the bright and happy days/she pressed it on my brow.” (from “my mother’s kiss”)

Explanation:

The claim is about creating art with universal appeal across generations. Option B mentions making songs for all people (old and young), which aligns with the idea of universal appeal. Option A focuses on the need for music to soothe sorrow, Option C is about blessing the native - land, and Option D is about a personal memory of a mother's kiss. None of these other options emphasize the universal appeal across generations as strongly as Option B.

Answer:

B. "Let me make the songs for the people, /Songs for the old and young: /Songs to stir like a battle - cry/Wherever they are sung." (from "Songs for the People")