The third option uses the word snake in a positive and figurative way.
The figurative element present in the sentence is a simile. In a simile, a person is compared to something else usually using the word "like". In the sentence, "like" is used to compare a woman to a snake.
Moreover, the sentence is positive because it states that the woman was like a snake but "fortunately did not enjoy eating live mice". The person is pointing out the positive aspect of snakes' quickness the woman had and the narrator clarifies that a negative aspect of snakes such as eating mice is not a personality trait the woman had.
The correct answer among all the other choices is B) old gardens come back stronger than they were, trees have been left standing in their yards. This best exemplifies the themes of hope and resilience. Thank you for posting your question. I hope this answer helped you. Let me know if you need more help.
