Question

Which line from "Monet’s ‘Waterlilies’" by Robert Hayden best demonstrates the speaker’s regret about the effects of violence and destruction in the world?
"Here space and time exist in light"

"The seen, the known / dissolve"

"O light beheld as through refracting tears."

"Here is the shadow of its joy."


12

Answer 1

Answer:

"Here is the shadow of its joy."

Explanation:

Robert Hayden's poem "Monet's Waterlilies'" talks of the evils of war and how the speaker 'escapes' from that. The poet uses the beautiful painting by Monet as his escape, away from the depressing news of wars and destruction from the Vietnam war.

In the poem, the speaker seems to find solace and upliftment in the painting. He admires the beauty, the serenity of the "great picture". And in the last line "Here is the shadow of its joy", the speaker demonstrates his regret about the destructive and violent nature of the war.  

Thus, the correct answer is the fourth option.