Question

The boy looks to be "fourteen or fifteen, frail, and _______-wild." He is compared to the ______ tree because he is thin, lean, and reedy, like the slender branches of this perennial tree.

Answer 1

The boy is described as being 'war-wild' and is compared to a pine tree due to his thin and lean stature.

Step-by-step explanation:

The boy looks to be "fourteen or fifteen, frail, and war-wild." He is compared to the pine tree because he is thin, lean, and reedy, like the slender branches of this perennial tree. This comparison draws a vivid image of the boy's physical state, as well as his wild, untamed nature, which resembles the enduring and straight qualities of a pine tree. The text suggests a setting where the character is in close harmony or contrast with nature and uses descriptive language to draw parallels between human attributes and elements of the natural world.