Question

from questioning each struggle toward a clearer light, each noble impulse unto right makes struggle easy, effort grand; lo! when we seize with eager hand the regal rose and meet the thorn, we heed not though our flesh be torn. for life’s best joy may not all be intense delight though e’er so free from hint of sorrow, but the calm that soothes the spirit, like a psalm of benediction floating by, in strains serenest caught on high. (from “questioning” by h. cordelia ray) the proverb “every rose has its thorn” means that anything good or beautiful also has a hurtful or ugly side. what does the allusion to this proverb in line 5 best help show in the poem? 1. if people work hard to act honorably, they will not feel the pain of rejection. 2. when people are feeling happy, they do not worry about how others are acting. 3. when people are doing the right thing, they do not care if they experience harm. 4. if people continually try to be good to each other, they will not encounter problems.

Explanation:

The poem's line 5 uses the rose/thorn proverb to link noble, right action to accepting accompanying pain. The line "We heed not though our flesh be torn" shows that when acting honorably, one disregards harm. Option 1 is wrong because it says no pain is felt, not that it's ignored. Option 2 is unrelated to the proverb's link to right action. Option 4 is incorrect as the poem doesn't claim no problems will arise.

Answer:

1. When people are doing the right thing, they do not care if they experience harm.