Question

Read the excerpt from "A Defence of Poetry.” These and corresponding conditions of being are experienced principally by those of the most delicate sensibility and the most enlarged imagination; and the state of mind produced by them is at war with every base desire. The enthusiasm of virtue, love, patriotism, and friendship, is essentially linked with such emotions; and whilst they last, self appears as what it is, an atom to a universe. Poets are not only subject to these experiences as spirits of the most refined organization, but they can colour all that they combine with the evanescent hues of this ethereal world; a word, a trait in the representation of a scene or a passion, will touch the enchanted chord, and reanimate, in those who have ever experienced these emotions, the sleeping, the cold, the buried image of the past. Which central idea about poets is expressed in this excerpt? Poets are members of an elite organization designed to help those who have lost all sense of hope. Poets are capable of effectively capturing and preserving moments of beauty and pleasure in life. Poets are among the most intelligent of humans because they possess enlarged imaginations. Poets are known for being enthusiastic, virtuous, and patriotic people who clearly express emotion.

Answer 1

The correct answer is "Poets are capable of effectively capturing and preserving moments of beauty and pleasure in life".

From the beginning, the author is speaking about many of the qualities that all poets share and makes them able to put down their intense subjective experiences onto words in paper. A vivid imagination, capacity to be vulnerable and delicate sensibilities, are all tools they have at their disposal to effectively capture the beauty of life and bring it back to others who might have shared their emotions. Or as the excerpt puts it: "in those who have ever experienced these emotions, the sleeping, the cold, the buried image of the past".

Hope this helps!