Question

Match each excerpt to the mood it evokes

Answer 1

Tile 1. TRANQUIL DILIGENCE
"And busily all the night · Had been heaping field and highway · With a silence deep and white"... The line, "And busily all the night" connotes diligence while the line "silence deep and white" lends evidence to a tranquil setting. Thus making tranquil diligence the mood that this excerpt evokes. 


Tile 2. EXQUISITE BEAUTY
"Every pine and fir and hammock · Wore ermine too dear for an earl · And the poorest twig on the elm-tree · Was ridged inch deep with pearl"... The mood that is evoked by this excerpt is exquisite beauty because the writer, James Russel Lowell depicts images of nature with descriptions that produce a sense of awe in the beauty of nature.


Tile 3. POWERFUL TURBULENCE
"Enwrapp'd in tempest and a night of storms · Astonish'd ocean feels the wild uproar"... The thoughts of "storms" and "wild uproar" in themselves are pictures of powerful turbulence. As a matter of fact, the word, "Turbulence" is defined as the violent movement of air or water, a phenomenon which is typical of a storm. 


Tile 4. LAVISH AFFLUENCE
"From splendid domes of first degree · Where ladies meet to sip their tea"... It is quite apparent that lavish affluence is evoked by this excerpt. The first line, "From splendid domes of first degree" evokes a sense of grandeur in the reader, while the second line, "Where ladies meet to sip their tea" creates an image of a group of women with high standing and wealth, thus evoking a sense of affluence.

Answer 2

And busily all the night
Had been heaping field and highway
With a silence deep and white 
"The First Snowfall" by James Russel Lowell
= c - tranquil diligence 
The word "silence" is synonymous to tranquility or stillness; while "busily all the night" suggests diligence or continued careful work. The mood or image that is reflected here is that of someone working silently and consistently. This may signify calmness and contentment; one that is undisturbed and focused to achieve its purpose
.
Every pine and fir and hammock
Wore ermine too dear for an earl
And the poorest twig on the elm-tree
Was ridged inch deep with pearl"
The First Snowfall" by James Russel Lowell 
= d - exquisite beauty 
The image that is painted is extreme loveliness because of the snow. The trees seem to wear very expensive coats or "ermine" that even an "earl" or a nobleman cannot afford its price. Each ordinary and small parts such as a "twig" looks so special because they are decorated with pearly drops of snow as if they are real pearls. The image suggests feelings of awe and joy.

Enwrapp'd in tempest and a night of storms
Astonish'd ocean feels the wild uproar  
"To His Excellency General Washington" by Phillis Weatley
= a - powerful turbulence
The words "tempest" and "storms" suggest an aggressive movement. This is heightened by a "wild uproar" or a great force. These all depict powerful turbulence or a great and forceful disturbance. A feeling of chaos and restlessness is clearly felt and experienced.

From splendid domes of first degree
Where ladies meet to sip their tea 
"To a New England Poet" by Phillip Freneau 
= b -lavish affluence
The words "splendid" means very impressive and magnificent; while "domes of first degree" refers to buildings or structures with circular base that are of highest quality. In addition, "ladies sipping tea" symbolizes high class society. Therefore, the mood is lavish affluence or extreme wealth and extravagant display.