Window Seat

B) It represents the passage of time and the inevitability of change, highlighting the interconnectedness of individual experiences within a larger narrative.

• Explanation: The image of "tiny bodies of light pushing slowly down the mountain roads" suggests a gradual progression or movement towards a certain destination, reflecting the idea of time passing and change occurring. This imagery connects individual journeys to a broader theme of transition and transformation.

• Distractor (A): It symbolizes the speaker's arduous journey towards self-discovery and the resilience required to overcome obstacles along the way. While self-discovery is a common theme in literature, the text does not explicitly connect the image to the speaker's personal growth or challenges.

B) The speaker believes that obstacles should be confronted head-on, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth and self-discovery.

• Explanation: The phrase "hardly stopping to ask permission" implies a sense of determination and agency in the face of obstacles, indicating that the speaker sees challenges as something to be tackled directly. This attitude aligns with the interpretation of obstacles as opportunities for personal development and exploration.

• Distractor (A): The speaker feels overwhelmed and defeated by obstacles, perceiving them as insurmountable barriers to progress. While obstacles are acknowledged in the text, the speaker's response is characterized by a sense of agency rather than defeat.

C) It adds a touch of whimsy and playfulness, infusing the scene with a sense of lightheartedness and spontaneity.

• Explanation: The choice to have the flight attendant hum a movie score while pouring coffee introduces a playful and light-hearted element to the poem, creating a contrast with the potentially serious or contemplative tone of the rest of the text.

• Distractor (A): It creates a sense of nostalgia and longing, evoking memories of past experiences and a yearning for connection. While nostalgia and longing may be present in the poem, the focus of the flight attendant's actions is more on the present moment rather than past reminiscences.

A) The speaker's desire for a fresh start and new beginnings, symbolizing the potential for transformation and rebirth.

• Explanation: The imagery of "white flurries breezing into the sand gusts outside my old house in the desert" suggests a sense of renewal and the possibility of starting anew, reflecting themes of change and regeneration.

• Distractor (B): The juxtaposition of past memories and present reality, highlighting the contrast between nostalgia and the harshness of the present. While there is a contrast between past and present implied in the imagery, the primary focus is on the potential for new beginnings rather than dwelling on past memories.

B) It emphasizes the power of collective faith and hope, suggesting that prayers have the ability to transcend physical boundaries and unite believers.

• Explanation: The comparison of prayers to being "released from airplanes" evokes a sense of shared belief and interconnectedness among individuals, highlighting the impact of collective faith and the idea that prayers can bring people together.

• Distractor (A): It creates a sense of urgency and desperation, likening the release of prayers to a fervent plea for divine intervention. While urgency may be present in the imagery, the emphasis is more on the communal aspect of prayer rather than individual desperation.

B) It emphasizes the speaker's introspective and contemplative nature, highlighting the depth of the speaker's inner reflections and musings.

• Explanation: The repetition of the phrase "I was thinking" underscores the speaker's introspective nature and the depth of their contemplations, suggesting a thoughtful and reflective mindset throughout the poem.

• Distractor (A): It suggests a sense of confusion and indecision in the speaker's thoughts, indicating a lack of clarity or certainty in the speaker's contemplations. While the speaker may grapple with complex thoughts, the repetition of "I was thinking" does not necessarily imply confusion but rather a pattern of deep reflection.