Question

Direction: Read the poem and answer the TWO questions that follow.
The slow person you left behind when, finally,
you mastered the world, and scaled the heights you now command,
where is he while you
walked around the shaved lawn in your plus fours,
organizing with an electric clipboard
your big push to tomorrow?
Oh, I have come across him, yes, I have, more than once,
coaxing his battered grocery cart down the freeway meridian,
Others see in you sundry mythic types distinguished
not just in themselves but by the stories
we put in with beginnings, ends, surprises:
the baby Oedipus on the hillside with his broken feet
or the dog whose barking saves the grandmother
flailing in the millpond beyond the weir,
dragged down by her woolen skirt.
He doesn’t see you as a story, though.
He feels you as his atmosphere. When your sun shines,
he chorteles. When your barometric pressure drops
and the thunder heads gather,
he huddles under the overpass and writes me long letters with
the study little pencil he steals from the public library.
He asks me to look out for you.
Which of the following BEST captures the theme of the poem?

• A. The poem is meaninglessly brooding over the past
• B. The poem is examining a loss of trust between old friends
• C. The poem is exploring the lives of the rich and the poor
• D. The poem is analysing a person’s past and present
• E. The poem is celebrating success and moaning losses

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The poem in question reflects on the contrast between a person's past and present, and it hints at an inner dialogue between two aspects of the same person – the successful one and the one left behind. Let's analyze the poem's themes step-by-step to understand why the correct answer is "The poem is analysing a person’s past and present."

1. The poem begins by describing "The slow person you left behind," which refers to a version of the self from the past. This indicates a comparison between the individual’s past and present self.
2. The present self is depicted as having "mastered the world" and in command of their surroundings, suggesting success and achievement. The past self, however, is shown pushing a "battered grocery cart down the freeway meridian," symbolizing hardship and struggle.
3. The poem further illustrates the perspectives of others, who see the successful self through mythic stories and notable achievements. This highlights a shift in identity and perception from the past to the present.
4. The statement "He doesn’t see you as a story, though. He feels you as his atmosphere" suggests that the past self is still affected by the actions of the present self, indicating a lingering connection and reflection between the two states of being.
5. Lastly, the emotional range highlighted by "When your sun shines, he chortles" and "When your barometric pressure drops, he huddles under the overpass" signifies the impact of the present self's success or failure on the past self, reinforcing the theme of past and present analysis.

Considering the aforementioned points, the poem's main focus is on examining the dichotomy between a person’s aspirations and achievements in the present and their humble origins in the past. Therefore, the most appropriate theme captured by this poem is: "The poem is analysing a person’s past and present."

Let's eliminate the incorrect options:

• The poem is meaninglessly brooding over the past: While the poem does reference the past, it does so with a clear purpose – comparing it to the present.
• The poem is examining a loss of trust between old friends: There is no explicit reference to friendship or trust issues within the poem.
• The poem is exploring the lives of the rich and the poor: Although there are references to different social standings, the core theme is personal reflection on past and present rather than a broader societal analysis.
• The poem is celebrating success and moaning losses: This doesn't fully capture the essence of reflection and comparison evident in the poem.

Answer 2

The poem presents a narrative of transformation, contrasting an individual's past self with their present reality. The detailed imagery and metaphorical expressions emphasize a journey from humility to power and success.

To ascertain the theme, let's analyze key elements:

• Past vs. Present: The "slow person" represents the past self of the individual, characterized by struggles and humility.
• Transformation: The individual now commands respect and success, highlighted by managing their affairs with advanced tools.
• Contrast and Reflection: The poem juxtaposes these identities, underscoring a reflective exploration of one's growth and change over time.

The consistent depiction of past and current states supports that the theme is about examining a person's past and present. Therefore, the best theme capture is:

The poem is analysing a person’s past and present