The correct answer is A.That the man is determined to protect himself.
Explanation:
This guy is having doubts about the fences. He thinks that they are not good at all if the function is to separate people or animals. He also tries to mention a mythological being like the elves to make reference to the walls. The connotation of "grasped" is to make an idea that he is holding stones to protect himself.
A). That the man is determined to protect himself.
Explanation:
The connotation is described as the implied meaning of the word, phrase, or sentence which is contrary to the denotative or literal or explicit meaning of the word or sentence. Such meaning needs to be inferred as per the context.
In the given poem 'Mending Wall' by Robert Frost, the word 'grasped' connotes to 'the man who is determined to protect himself' as he is doubtful of the wall or fences that are being created as he strongly feels that it may isolate the people. He is firm enough in his belief as he feels 'something there is that doesn't love a wall' as 'it seems darkness'. Thus, he wants to protect himself from this alienation and 'not go by father's saying'. Thus, <u>option A</u> is the correct answer.
