Question

Which of the following best describes the nature of the poem in its entirety?

• A. A realistic pastoral scene
• B. An eloquent description of a place
• C. A religious allegory
• D. A didactic narrative
• E. An impassioned portrait

Answer 1

Answer: (E)

An impassioned portrait

This poem is about a black man whose job it is to clean hotel spittoons. The man must use his paltry wages to buy shoes for his baby and pay rent. On Saturdays he drinks gin and on Sundays he goes to church. The man's life is full of emotions. Thus, he is portrayed as an impassioned person. Thus, option E is the correct answer.