One easy question

Which excerpt from Robert Burns’s “To a Mouse” best conveys understanding and forgiveness?

“…An’ weary winter comin’ fast,/An cozie here, beneath the blast…”<<<

“Thy wee-bit housie, too, in ruin!/Its silly wa’s the win’s are strewin’!”

“Still thou art blessed compared wi’ me/The present only toucheth thee…”

“I doubt na… but thou may thieve;/What then? Poor beastie, thou maun live!” <-- I think it's this one. But I'm not certain.

To determine which excerpt from Robert Burns’s poem “To a Mouse” best conveys understanding and forgiveness, we need to analyze each option.

The first excerpt states, “…An’ weary winter comin’ fast,/An cozie here, beneath the blast…” This lines demonstrate empathy and understanding for the mouse's struggle with the impending harsh winter and the poet’s acknowledgment that the mouse seeks solace in a warm place.

The second excerpt says, “Thy wee-bit housie, too, in ruin!/Its silly wa’s the win’s are strewin’!” Here, the poet expresses sympathy towards the mouse whose tiny house has been ruined by the winds. While it conveys understanding, it does not explicitly convey forgiveness.

The third excerpt reads, “Still thou art blessed compared wi’ me/The present only toucheth thee…” This excerpt highlights the poet's recognition that the mouse lives in the present moment, free from worries about the future, unlike the poet himself who is burdened by the past and future. It demonstrates empathy but does not explicitly convey forgiveness.

The fourth and final excerpt states, “I doubt na… but thou may thieve;/What then? Poor beastie, thou maun live!” This excerpt showcases the poet's forgiveness and understanding towards the mouse, acknowledging that the mouse may steal to survive, but it is simply doing what it must to live.

Based on this analysis, it can be concluded that the fourth excerpt, “I doubt na… but thou may thieve;/What then? Poor beastie, thou maun live!” best conveys understanding and forgiveness, as it explicitly acknowledges the mouse's actions and forgives it for its necessity.