An abstract and symbolic representation of elements from the poem 'Pioneer' by Dorothy Livesay. Perhaps we could have an image of a man, who resembles a pioneer, dressed in simple yet labor-worn attire. He's seen in two contrasting settings on either side - on one, a lush forest with a single, stubborn tree standing proudly, and a rudimentary axe and a plough nearby indicate his hard work; on the other part, a sprawling cityscape with roaring skyscrapers stands, hinting at the progress he has unknowingly spearheaded. He sits in the middle with his hands folded. The gradual transition from the wilderness to the city symbolizes the passage of time and progress.

I have to answer the questions according to this poem, I have answered them but just want someone to look over them to see if they are right. The last one I had trouble with and need help on that one too. The answer that I think it is I have put arrows on them. Help would be appreciated. Thanks :)

Pioneer
Dorothy Livesay

He laboured, starved, and ploughed:
In these last days
Cities roared where his voice
In lonely wliderness first sang out praise.

Out of the forest, walls,
From the rock, the wheat:
Winters to chill the heart
That slowly withers the summer's heat.

Out of the fight, desire
Re-born each spring
To leave some mark behind-
High harvest from the autumn's gathering.

What labourer could dream
The axe's chime
And swiftly builded house
Would mean a city in so brief a time...

He sits with folded hands
And burns to see
How he has ravaged earth
Of her last stone, her last, most stubborn tree.

1. The contrast established in the poem is most effectively conveyed by the lines
a) "Cities roar where his voice/ In lonely wilderness first sang out praise"
b) "Winters to chill the heart/ That slowly withers in the summer's heat"
c) "The axe's chime/ And swiftly builded house/ Would mean a city"
d) "How he has ravaged earth/ Of her last stone, her last, most stubborn tree" <---------

2. In the context of this poem, the image "Cities roar" (line 3) is ironically paralleled by the image
a) "summers heat"
b) "High harvest"
c) "axe's chime" <-----------
d) "folded hands"

3. Lines 7 to 12 describe the
a) productive nature of the pioneer's land
b) cyclical nature of the pioneer's hope and despair <-------
c) resourcefulness of the pioneer's farming methods
d) pioneer's losing battle with time and the elements

4. In context, "He sits with folded hands" (line 17) conveys the pioneer's
a) physical decline
b) unexpected retirement
c) resolute determination <----------
d) reflective resignation

5. In the context of the poem, the word "burns" in line 18 conveys that the pioneer is
a) refreshed in spirit <-------
b) envious of others
c) consumed with dismay
d) rationalizing his failure

6. The repetition of the word "last" in line 20 serves to convey a sense of that which is
a) flexible
b) durable
c) susceptible
d) irrevocable <------

7. The tone of the poem is one of
a) hope
b) apathy
c) cynicism
d) satisfaction <---------

8. The methodical labour of the pioneer is reinforced by the poet's use of
a) repetition
b) rhetorical questions
c) alliterative phrases and metaphors
d) uniform stanzas and rhyme patterns

The answers are:

1. A
2. C
3. B
4. D
5. C
6. D
7. C
8. D

are those answers correct? I have similar ones

Can confirm, answers are:

1. A
2. C
3. B
4. D
5. C
6. D
7. C
8. D

I disagree with your answers to 1, 4, 5, and 7.

I agree with your answers to 2, 3, and 6.

I have corrected the answers

1. A
4. A
5. C
7. B

Do they seem right now?

I think 4 is still wrong, but I agree with your other answers. However, it's possible that 7 is c.

Would number 8 be C ?

I think 4 would be D because I don't think the pioneer will retire. I'm confused between B and D.

Thanks for your help :)

4 is d.

8 is not c.

8 cannot be D because none of the words rhyme. It also does not ask questions. I will go with A. Does that seem right?

I think it is B

not sure. can someone clearify