Question

Read the poem “Sea Rose,” by H.D.

Rose, harsh rose,
marred and with stint of petals,
meagre flower, thin,
sparse of leaf,

more precious
than a wet rose
single on a stem? —
you are caught in the drift.

Stunted, with small leaf,
you are flung on the sand,
you are lifted
in the crisp sand
that drives in the wind.

Can the spice-rose
drip such acrid fragrance
hardened in a leaf?

What is the central image of the poem?



a stretch of barren beach

a windy and dangerous storm

a beautiful and bountiful rose

a rose exposed to the elements

Answer 1

a rose exposed to the elements

In the poem, the rose is being tossed about by the surf on the beach. The rose is described as being "marred", "meager". and "sparse". The description eliminates beautiful and bountiful as an option. Also, the title usually hints at the main idea of the poem. In this case, the title is "Sea Rose".

Answer 2

a rose exposed to the elementsIn the poem, the rose is being tossed about by the surf on the beach. The rose is described as being "marred", "meager". and "sparse". The description eliminates beautiful and bountiful as an option. Also, the title usually hints at the main idea of the poem. In this case, the title is searose