Question

Read this passage from Donne’s “Meditation 17.” Then, answer the question that follows. No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend’s or of thine own were. Any man’s death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell* tolls; it tolls for thee. *bell: here, the death knell, or church bell that tolls for a death Which sentence best states the belief Donne expresses in this passage? A. It is wrong to live in isolation, like a hermit. B. Rich or poor, highborn or low, we are all still human beings. C. Human beings are all interconnected. D. No one should fear death, for death is a part of life.

Answer 1

I would say the best answer is that human beings are all connected, since we are part of nature and nature is all connected so that a "clod washed away by the sea" diminishes say Europe and though one man's life may seem insignificant, we all impinge on one another and have an influence on life-both of other people and of nature..