The wind tapped like a tired man,
And like a host, "Come in,"
I boldly answered; entered then
My residence within
A rapid, footless guest,
To offer whom a chair
Were as impossible as hand
A sofa to the air.
No bone had he to bind him,
His speech was like the push
Of numerous humming-birds at once
From a superior bush.
His countenance a billow,
His fingers, if he pass,
Let go a music, as of tunes
Blown tremulous in glass.
He visited, still flitting;
Then, like a timid man,
Again he tapped—'t was flurriedly—
Dickinson’s use of figurative language in this poem expresses the idea that
A. the speaker is worried about the wind’s damaging power.
B. the speaker is frightened by the wind’s ghostlike appearance.
C. the speaker dislikes visits from unwanted guests.
D. the speaker enjoys this unexpected visit from the wind.
To determine the correct answer, we need to analyze the figurative language used in the poem. Let's break down each option and see which one aligns with the text.
A. The speaker is worried about the wind's damaging power: While the wind is being described in various ways, there is no indication in the poem that the speaker is concerned about its damaging power. The tone of the poem seems more curious than worried.
B. The speaker is frightened by the wind's ghostlike appearance: The descriptions of the wind being footless, having no bones, and flitting around do not necessarily convey a sense of fear or being frightened.
C. The speaker dislikes visits from unwanted guests: The poem does not give any indication that the speaker dislikes visits from unwanted guests. In fact, the speaker seems intrigued by the wind's visit and even invites it in.
D. The speaker enjoys this unexpected visit from the wind: The poem suggests that the speaker is enjoying the unexpected visit from the wind. The speaker boldly answers the wind's tap, welcomes it in, and describes the wind in a musical and poetic manner.
Considering the details provided, we can conclude that the correct answer is:
D. The speaker enjoys this unexpected visit from the wind.