Answer:
I think the first option, but sorry if I am wrong..
Answer:
The term 'sphinx' and 'freemasonry' is used to describe the life of African Americans in America.
Explanation:
The given passage is taken from 'The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man' by James Weldon Johnson. The book is narrated by an unnamed narrartor who chose to hide his origin of African American and live like a white American in New York City.
In Preface, the narrator educates the reader that he is going to share the true face of the lives of African American in America. He used the words 'sphinx' to tell that African Americans were not considered less than a monster by Americans because of their color. By using thhe word 'freemasonry' the narrator is saying that America has created 'freemasonry' or the helping organization for Negro as formed for the race.
So, the connection that narrator is drawing by using the words is the relation between the society and African American in America. And the life of African Americans in America.
Answer:
Okay. I'll give you the sunflowers.
Basically, the poem reminds powerful people that their power is only temporary. However much powerful people may wish to think that their power is immortal, they are only deceiving themselves.
You exagerrate and it's not taken literally.
