Read the poem.
The Tropics in New York
by Claude McKay
Bananas ripe and green, and ginger root,
Cocoa in pods and alligator pears,
And tangerines and mangoes and grape fruit,
Fit for the highest prize at parish fairs,
Set in the window, bringing memories
of fruit-trees laden by low-singing rills,
And dewy dawns, and mystical skies
In benediction over nun-like hills.
My eyes grow dim, and I could no more gaze;
A wave of longing through my body swept,
And, hungry for the old, familiar ways,
I turned aside and bowed my head and wept.
Question 1
What is a theme of the poem "The Tropics in New York" by Claude McKay?
Responses
Everyone should have a place of dignity and belonging in society.
Everyone should have a place of dignity and belonging in society.
Peace found in nature can sustain us in cities.
Peace found in nature can sustain us in cities.
No matter the distance, home is always close to one’s heart.
No matter the distance, home is always close to one’s heart.
Nature soothes the heart and calms the mind.
Nature soothes the heart and calms the mind.
Question 2
Which detail from the poem best develops the theme identified in Part A?
Responses
“Set in the window, bringing memories of fruit-trees laden by low-singing rills”
“Set in the window, bringing memories of fruit-trees laden by low-singing rills”
“And dewy dawns, and mystical skies In benediction over nun-like hills.”
“And dewy dawns, and mystical skies In benediction over nun-like hills.”
“And tangerines and mangoes and grape fruit, Fit for the highest prize at parish fairs”
“And tangerines and mangoes and grape fruit, Fit for the highest prize at parish fairs”
“A wave of longing through my body swept, And, hungry for the old, familiar ways”
“A wave of longing through my body swept, And, hungry for the old, familiar ways”
There's 2 questions
Apologies for the confusion. Here are the answers to both questions:
Question 1: The theme of the poem "The Tropics in New York" by Claude McKay is "No matter the distance, home is always close to one’s heart."
Question 2: The detail from the poem that best develops this theme is "A wave of longing through my body swept, And, hungry for the old, familiar ways." This detail shows the speaker's longing for their home and how it is always present in their heart, even though they are physically far away.
To answer question 1, we need to analyze the poem and identify its major themes. One way to do this is by paying attention to the overall message or lesson conveyed by the speaker. In "The Tropics in New York" by Claude McKay, the speaker expresses a sense of longing for the tropics and the familiar ways associated with it. This suggests that the theme of the poem is that no matter the distance, home is always close to one's heart.
To answer question 2, we must identify the detail from the poem that best supports the theme identified in question 1. Looking at the provided options, the line "Set in the window, bringing memories of fruit-trees laden by low-singing rills" stands out as the most relevant detail. This detail highlights the imagery of tropical fruits and evokes memories of the speaker's homeland. It reinforces the theme that the longing for home is triggered by familiar sights and experiences.
Therefore, the correct responses to the questions are:
Question 1: No matter the distance, home is always close to one’s heart.
Question 2: "Set in the window, bringing memories of fruit-trees laden by low-singing rills"