Question

Read the poem below and answer the question that follows.

Answer 1

Sample Response: Millay uses words with strongly negative connotations in this bitter poem about humanity’s inhumanity. The first word of the poem is “detestable,” and the powerful negative imagery continues throughout the poem. She uses the word “breed” which generally applies to animals, not humans, reinforcing our bestiality. A few of the other negative word choices include “encroach,” “bombing,” “bewildered,” and “distracted.” Perhaps the strongest imagery is found in the lines, “Convert again into putrescent matter drawing flies/The hopeful bodies of the young.” She ends with the name of our species, Homo sapiens, but splits the term ironically pointing out that we are called sapiens while her poem makes the point of showing that while we may be human (Homo), we are not wise (sapiens)at all.

Answer 2

By the words "detestable" and "die", we can tell that the mood of this poem is dark and angry. The author obviously is not proud of what humans have done. Also, the word "encroach" makes the mood sad. The author points out what terrible things humans are and how rude we are (which is quite true, based on what happened on January 20th).