Question

Read this excerpt from “The World” by Christina Rossetti:

By day she wooes me, soft, exceeding fair;
But all night as the moon so changeth she;
Loathsome and foul with hideous leprosy
And subtle serpents gliding in her hair.
By day she wooes me to the outer air,
Ripe fruits, sweet flowers, and full satiety:
But thro' the night, a beast she grins at me,
A very monster void of love and prayer,
By day she stands a lie:

Which statement best describes the theme?
A. Love escapes us because of the change from day to night.
B. Nighttime is monstrous, but it is better than daytime.
C. Beauty can be alluring, but it is also dangerous.
D. Daytime hides the danger and intrigue of night.
thank you

Answer 1

I think it's C because it talks about how beautiful she is but also how dangerous

Answer 2

C. Beauty can be alluring, but it is also dangerous.

Step-by-step explanation:

This is the statement that best describes the theme. In these lines, Christina Rossetti discusses the essence of beauty. She states that beauty can be alluring, as it wooes and excites her. However, she also highlights the dangers that beauty comes with. We learn about this when the author tells us about the same object of adoration turning "loathsome" and "foul."