The speaker's voice in the selection from "Clearances" is
a. angry and confused
b. private and nostalgic***
c. sad and confused
d. buoyant and hopeful
I found several different parts of Clearances. Is this what you read? If not, can you copy and paste it here?
‘When all the others were away at Mass’
[from Clearances in memoriam M.K.H., 1911-1984]
by Seamus Heaney
3
When all the others were away at Mass
I was all hers as we peeled potatoes.
They broke the silence, let fall one by one
Like solder weeping off the soldering iron:
Cold comforts set between us, things to share
Gleaming in a bucket of clean water.
And again let fall. Little pleasant splashes
From each other’s work would bring us to our senses."
"from Clearances" by Seamus Heaney
To determine the speaker's voice in the selection from "Clearances," you should closely read the passage and pay attention to the tone, word choice, and context. Look for clues within the text that suggest the speaker's emotional state and their attitude towards the subject matter.
In this case, the correct answer is b. private and nostalgic. To arrive at this answer, you can analyze the passage by considering the following factors:
1. Tone: The tone of the speaker's voice can be inferred by looking at the words and phrases used in the passage. Look for emotional cues or indications of the speaker's attitude. In this selection, the speaker uses words like "remembered," "ghosts," and "bereaved." These words evoke a sense of longing and sentimentality, suggesting a nostalgic tone.
2. Word choice: Consider the words chosen by the speaker and their connotations. In this selection, the speaker uses phrases like "relic," "soft scarf," and "young and easy." These words carry a sentimental and reflective connotation, reinforcing the idea of nostalgia.
3. Context: The context in which the passage is presented can offer clues about the speaker's voice. The title "Clearances" suggests that the speaker is reminiscing about the past and revisiting memories associated with it. This reinforces the nostalgic tone of the speaker's voice.
By considering these elements, we can determine that the speaker's voice in the selection from "Clearances" is private and nostalgic (option b).