2. What do the tomato seeds in “In Response to Executive Order 9066” most likely represent?

a. the speaker’s anger at her friend
b. the speaker’s excitement about moving to a new place
c. the speaker’s love for her friend
d. the speaker’s sadness about leaving

I think it's either b or c?

I vote for c.

http://www.nps.gov/manz/forteachers/dwight-okita.htm

The tomato seeds in "In Response to Executive Order 9066" most likely represent the speaker's love for her friend (option c).

To determine the most likely representation of the tomato seeds in "In Response to Executive Order 9066," we can examine the context and symbolism of these seeds in the poem.

First, let's briefly summarize the poem's background. "In Response to Executive Order 9066" written by Dwight Okita is about the forced internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. The speaker is a young Japanese American girl who has to leave her home due to Executive Order 9066, which authorized the relocation and internment of Japanese Americans.

The tomato seeds make an appearance in the poem when the speaker's friend (who is not Japanese American) gives her a small package of tomato seeds for her garden. The seeds serve as a symbol in the poem, representing something beyond their literal meaning.

Option a, the speaker's anger at her friend, is not the most likely representation of the tomato seeds because there is no indication of anger in the poem towards her friend. Therefore, we can eliminate option a.

Option b, the speaker's excitement about moving to a new place, could be a possibility. The tomato seeds can symbolize the speaker's anticipation and hope for a fresh start in a new location. However, this interpretation does not fully capture the deeper emotional significance of the tomato seeds in the context of the poem.

Option c, the speaker's love for her friend, is a plausible interpretation. The tomato seeds can be seen as a tangible expression of friendship and care from the speaker's friend. The act of giving the seeds shows affection and support during a challenging time. This interpretation aligns with the themes of friendship, support, and connection present in the poem.

Option d, the speaker's sadness about leaving, is another strong possibility. The tomato seeds can serve as a symbol of the speaker's attachment to her home and the grief she feels about being uprooted and forced to leave. The seeds represent the speaker's longing for familiarity and the sadness associated with leaving behind what she knows and loves.

Both options c (the speaker's love for her friend) and d (the speaker's sadness about leaving) offer valid interpretations of the tomato seeds. Ultimately, the choice depends on the reader's analysis and understanding of the poem.