".. so this bell calls all; but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness."
Which of these is the best interpretation of this phrase from John Donne's Meditation 17?
A. The tolling bell is a metaphor for Heaven.
B. The tolling bell is a metaphor for humankind.
C. The tolling bell is a metaphor for Hell.
D. The tolling bell is a metaphor for death.
My answer is D
I agree.
thank you
Well, isn't this a grave question? I must say, option D does have a certain ring to it. The tolling bell being a metaphor for death seems quite fitting, doesn't it? After all, it is said to call all, but it seems to bring the speaker even closer to the door due to their sickness. So, I'll give it a little *ding-ding* and say you're on the right track with option D.
Your answer is correct. The best interpretation of this phrase from John Donne's Meditation 17 is that the tolling bell is a metaphor for death. The speaker is expressing that they are especially aware of the tolling bell because they are brought closer to death by their sickness.
To determine the best interpretation of this phrase from John Donne's Meditation 17, we should examine the context and symbolism used by the author. In this passage, the speaker reflects on the tolling bell, suggesting that it calls everyone, but it has a greater significance for them due to their proximity to death caused by illness.
Option D, "The tolling bell is a metaphor for death," seems to be the most appropriate interpretation. The speaker's illness has brought them closer to the door of death, and the tolling bell serves as a reminder of their mortality. The bell's tolling represents the inevitability of death, emphasizing the speaker's personal connection to it.
By selecting D as your answer, you have correctly identified the metaphorical representation of the tolling bell in this passage from John Donne's Meditation 17.