In my opinion, the correct answer is A. celebratory. Not just because the poem begins with the famous incantation "I celebrate myself, and sing myself", but because its very purpose is the celebration of a personal and collective identity. He celebrates a nation, a universe, nature, sex, human bonds, love, pride. He celebrates himself as Walt Whitman, but also as an epitome of a human being, and an epitome of a new American spirit.
I guess a stalactite and a stalagmite could be referenced to a column. Although, only some could be considered column-like.
Stalactites hang from the ceiling and only on occasion do they ever reach the ground. I, myself have toured some caves and have witnessed stalactites reaching the ground, so in that way they could be referenced to a column. But the majority of them, that don't reach the ground, aren't very column-like.
Same goes with stalagmites, but these protrude from the ground, rather than hanging from the ceiling. I've never personally seen a stalagmite that has reached the ceiling of a cave and resembled a column. But I wouldn't doubt that there are a few out there.
So basically in conclusion, the majority of stalagmites and stalactites are not similar to columns. But the few that can go to cave floor to ceiling can resemble a column.
Hope this helps! Stay safe and stay healty! :3
Diction tells a lot and highly contributes to the meaning and tone of a poem because its your word choice. The different words you use can completely change your poem.
