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Elements of Modernist Poetry: Mastery Test
5
Select the correct answer.
Which idea is expressed in this excerpt from "Anecdote of the Jar" by Wallace Stevens?
The wilderness rose up to it,
And sprawled around, no longer wild.
The jar was round upon the ground
And tall and of a port in air.
A.
Humans positively contribute to nature by placing the jar on the hill.
B.
The jar, when placed on the hill, completes nature's balance.
C.
D.
The jar is the main reason for nature's richness and well-being.
Nature is not able to flourish because the jar is on the hill.



Answer :

GinnyAnswer
In the excerpt from "Anecdote of the Jar" by Wallace Stevens, the idea expressed is that the jar, when placed on the hill, completes nature's balance (Option B). This can be understood through the imagery and symbolism used in the poem. 1. The wilderness, described as rising up and sprawling around the jar, represents nature in its wild and untamed state. 2. When the jar is placed on the ground, it is depicted as being round, tall, and creating a sense of order and structure amidst the wilderness. 3. The contrast between the wild surroundings and the presence of the jar suggests a harmonious coexistence where the jar, although man-made, plays a significant role in balancing and complementing nature. 4. Therefore, the idea conveyed is not that the jar hinders nature's flourishing but rather enhances it by bringing a sense of purpose and completion to the landscape. By analyzing the imagery and symbolism in the poem, we can conclude that the correct idea expressed in the excerpt is that the jar, when placed on the hill, completes nature's balance.

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