Poetry

Step 1: Identifying the author.
The line “And when I crumble, who will remember” is from the poem “An Epitaph” written by Walter de la Mare.
Step 2: Meaning of the line.
In this poem, the poet reflects on the inevitability of death and the fading memory of the dead. The question “who will remember” expresses a deep sense of human loneliness and the transient nature of fame and existence.
Step 3: Literary tone.
The tone of the poem is melancholic and philosophical, focusing on mortality and the desire for remembrance. De la Mare combines simplicity of language with profound emotional depth.
Step 4: Analyzing the options.
- (a) John Keats: Known for “Ode to a Nightingale,” not this poem.
- (b) John Donne: Focused on metaphysical themes of love and faith.
- (c) Rupert Brooke: Wrote “The Soldier,” a patriotic poem.
- (d) Walter de la Mare: Correct — author of “An Epitaph.”
Step 5: Conclusion.
Therefore, the line is written by Walter de la Mare.

Step 1: Understanding the poem.
The line “And what I assume you shall assume” is from the opening of Walt Whitman’s celebrated poem “Song of Myself” from his collection Leaves of Grass.
Step 2: Meaning of the line.
In this line, Whitman emphasizes the idea of universal human connection. He believes that what he feels or experiences as an individual is shared by all humanity — reflecting equality and unity.
Step 3: Literary significance.
The poem captures the spirit of American individualism, democracy, and the celebration of the self. It is written in free verse, expressing Whitman’s philosophy of oneness with all living beings.
Step 4: Analyzing the options.
- (a) Song of Myself: Correct — this is the source of the line.
- (b) An Epitaph: Refers to an inscription on a tombstone.
- (c) The Soldier: A patriotic poem by Rupert Brooke.
- (d) Fire-Hymn: A poem by Keki N. Daruwalla about rebirth and death.
Step 5: Conclusion.
Thus, the famous line is from Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself,” expressing the equality of human spirit.

Step 1: Understanding the poet’s perspective.
This question refers to the ideas of W.H. Auden, a 20th-century poet known for his philosophical and reflective poetry. Auden often compared human life to a dream, emphasizing the uncertainty, transience, and illusory nature of existence.
Step 2: Literary analysis.
In many of his works, Auden suggests that life lacks permanence and is full of fleeting experiences — just like a dream. Everything in life is temporary, and human ambitions often vanish like dream images when one awakens.
Step 3: Analyzing the options.
- (a) Dream: Correct — aligns with Auden’s comparison of life’s impermanence.
- (b) Death: Represents the end of life, not its quality.
- (c) Journey: Life can be a journey, but Auden emphasizes illusion.
- (d) Sleep: Related metaphorically, but not Auden’s exact comparison.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Thus, according to Auden, human life is no better than a dream.

Step 1: Understanding the Romantic Revival.
The Romantic Revival refers to the literary movement that began in the late 18th century as a reaction against the strict rules and rationalism of the Neoclassical age. It emphasized emotion, nature, imagination, and individual experience.
Step 2: William Wordsworth’s contribution.
William Wordsworth is considered a pioneer of the Romantic Revival. His joint publication with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, “Lyrical Ballads” (1798), marked the official beginning of the Romantic movement in English literature.
Step 3: Analyzing the options.
- (a) Johan Dryden: Belonged to the Neoclassical period.
- (b) Alexander Pope: Also a Neoclassical poet known for satire.
- (c) William Wordsworth: Correct — central figure of Romantic poetry.
- (d) John Milton: A poet of the Renaissance and Puritan age.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Therefore, the Romantic Revival is most closely associated with William Wordsworth.

Step 1: About John Donne.
John Donne was a metaphysical poet known for his deep spiritual and philosophical reflections. His poetry often explored themes of love, mortality, faith, and the relationship between the soul and God.
Step 2: Context of certainty.
In his sermons and poems, Donne frequently reflected on the inevitability of death. He believed that while human life is uncertain and temporary, death is the one event that no one can escape.
Step 3: Supporting example.
In his poem “Death Be Not Proud,” Donne personifies death, arguing that it should not be feared because it is a passage to eternal life. Despite this comforting belief, he acknowledges that death itself is inevitable — hence, certain.
Step 4: Analyzing the options.
- (a) Death: Correct — Donne emphasizes its certainty.
- (b) Life: Life is uncertain, unpredictable.
- (c) Work: Not a central theme in Donne’s philosophy.
- (d) Walking: Irrelevant to the context.
Step 5: Conclusion.
Thus, according to John Donne, death is the only certainty in human existence.

Step 1: Understanding the literary era.
John Keats belonged to the early 19th century and is one of the most celebrated poets of the Romantic Age in English literature. The Romantic period emphasized imagination, emotion, beauty, and the glorification of nature.
Step 2: About Keats’s poetic themes.
Keats’s poetry is known for its sensuous imagery, vivid descriptions, and reflection on beauty and mortality. Some of his major works include "Ode to a Nightingale," "Ode on a Grecian Urn," and "To Autumn".
Step 3: Analyzing the options.
- (a) Romantic: Correct — Keats is a Romantic poet.
- (b) Victorian: Later era; poets like Tennyson and Browning belong here.
- (c) Modern: 20th-century movement; not Keats’s period.
- (d) Augustan: Earlier 18th-century poets like Pope and Dryden belong to this era.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Therefore, John Keats is rightly identified as a Romantic poet.

Step 1: Understanding the Poets and Their Works.
Each poem listed in List-A represents a unique theme and literary style, corresponding to the poet’s ideology and artistic vision. Identifying these helps establish the correct pairing.
Step 2: Explanation of Each Match.
(i) Song of Myself — Walt Whitman: This poem from Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass” celebrates individuality, democracy, and the interconnectedness of all human beings.
(ii) My Grandmother’s House — Kamala Das: This poem expresses the poet’s deep longing for love and the emotional void she feels when separated from her grandmother’s affection.
(iii) An Epitaph — Walter de la Mare: A reflective and melancholic poem that meditates on death, memory, and the fragility of human life.
(iv) The Soldier — Rupert Brooke: A patriotic sonnet that glorifies self-sacrifice for one’s country, portraying death in battle as noble and pure.
(v) To Autumn — John Keats: A nature poem that personifies autumn as a season of maturity, abundance, and peace — the finest expression of Keats’s romantic sensibility.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, the correct matching highlights each poet’s distinct theme — from Whitman’s self-expression to Keats’s nature worship, Brooke’s patriotism, Das’s nostalgia, and de la Mare’s reflection on mortality.

Step 1: Introduction.
“Ode to Autumn” by John Keats is one of the most beautiful odes in English literature. It celebrates the beauty, abundance, and calmness of the autumn season. The poem expresses Keats’s deep appreciation of nature and the perfection of this season.
Step 2: Explanation.
Keats personifies Autumn as a woman who works with nature — ripening fruits, filling granaries, and blessing the earth with maturity. He captures the rich colors, golden sunlight, and music of buzzing bees and singing crickets, showing the harmony between man and nature.
Step 3: Theme and Message.
The poem reflects the idea that every stage of life has its own beauty. Autumn symbolizes fulfillment, peace, and contentment before the decline of winter. Keats teaches that transience is natural and beauty lies even in endings.
Step 4: Conclusion.
“Ode to Autumn” is a perfect example of Keats’s romantic vision — finding eternal joy in the changing beauty of nature.

Step 1: Introduction.
“Fire-Hymn” is a powerful poem written by Keki N. Daruwalla. It expresses the poet’s reflections on death, fire, and the sacred rituals of cremation in Hindu culture. The poem blends emotion, spirituality, and philosophy.
Step 2: Explanation.
The poet recalls a tragic incident from his childhood when he witnessed the burning of his dead child’s body. The fire, once sacred and purifying, now becomes a symbol of pain and guilt. He feels that even the sacred element cannot erase the emotional scars left by death.
Step 3: Theme and Meaning.
The poem highlights the contrast between ritual purity and human suffering. Fire, which traditionally signifies purification, here becomes a symbol of moral and emotional conflict. The poet questions whether ritual truly brings peace or if grief continues to burn within the heart.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Thus, “Fire-Hymn” reflects on the eternal struggle between faith and personal loss, revealing the emotional depth of human experience in the face of death.

Step 1: Introduction.
“Snake” is a poem by D.H. Lawrence that explores the conflict between instinct and social conditioning. It presents the poet’s encounter with a snake that came to drink water from his water trough.
Step 2: Explanation.
The poet admires the beauty, calmness, and majesty of the snake. However, his mind, influenced by society’s teachings, tells him that the snake is dangerous and should be killed. Acting on this impulse, he throws a log at it, but immediately feels deep regret and guilt for his action.
Step 3: Theme and Meaning.
The poem reveals the conflict between man’s natural respect for living beings and the false fears imposed by civilization. The snake represents nature’s innocence, while the poet’s guilt symbolizes humanity’s moral weakness.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Through “Snake,” Lawrence reminds us that man must overcome fear and prejudice to live in harmony with nature. True wisdom lies in respecting all forms of life.

Step 1: Understanding the Context.
This question is from the poem “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning” by John Donne. The poem describes the deep and spiritual love between two souls that remains unbroken even when they are physically separated.
Step 2: Explanation.
The poet explains that sighing and weeping, which are outward signs of sorrow, weaken the soul and the bond of love. Instead of expressing love through physical emotions, Donne believes that true love is calm, pure, and intellectual. Such love is based on spiritual connection, not temporary passion.
Step 3: Poetic Insight.
Donne compares lovers to the “two legs of a compass” — though one moves away, both remain connected at the center. He feels that sighing and crying reduce the dignity of love, which should be peaceful and firm even in absence.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Thus, sighing and weeping weaken the speaker’s soul and distort the purity of love. True love does not depend on outward expression but on spiritual unity.

Step 1: Understanding the Context.
These lines are from John Keats’ famous poem “Ode to Autumn.” The poet reflects on the passage of time, comparing the seasons of life with the cycles of nature.
Step 2: Explanation.
Keats questions the disappearance of spring but reassures himself that autumn has its own music — the songs of crickets, bleating lambs, and the gentle hum of nature. It symbolizes acceptance of maturity and fulfillment rather than longing for the past.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The poet conveys that every stage of life has its own beauty and joy, just like every season. Autumn’s calm and richness are as musical as spring’s freshness.

Step 1: Context of the line.
The line “Who will make a quicker journey than the sun?” refers to John Donne’s metaphysical poem “The Sun Rising.” In this poem, the poet playfully speaks to the sun, saying that his beloved’s eyes shine brighter than the sun itself.
Step 2: Understanding the meaning.
The poet claims that love can travel faster and reach farther than even the sun’s rays — showing the intensity and power of spiritual love.
Step 3: Analyzing the options.
- (a) John Donne: Correct — he wrote “The Sun Rising.”
- (b) Walt Whitman: Wrote “Song of Myself,” not related.
- (c) W.H. Auden: Modern poet; no such line in his work.
- (d) John Keats: Romantic poet known for odes, not metaphysical poems.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Hence, the line belongs to John Donne, the metaphysical poet.

Step 1: About the poem.
“My Grandmother’s House” is a poem written by Kamala Das, one of India’s most celebrated confessional poets. The poem explores the themes of love, nostalgia, and loss.
Step 2: Understanding the line.
The poet recalls her grandmother’s house as a place filled with warmth, love, and security — a symbol of her lost childhood happiness. The line expresses her longing to return to that love which she no longer finds in adult life.
Step 3: Analyzing the options.
- (a) Song of Myself: By Walt Whitman — not related.
- (b) Ode to Autumn: By John Keats — about nature, not memory.
- (c) My Grandmother’s House: Correct — poem by Kamala Das.
- (d) Snake: By D.H. Lawrence — unrelated.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Hence, the line “There is a house now far away where once I received love” is from Kamala Das’s “My Grandmother’s House.”

Step 1: Understanding the poem “The Soldier.”
“The Soldier” is a patriotic poem by Rupert Brooke written during World War I. It expresses the poet’s deep love for his country and his willingness to sacrifice his life for England.
Step 2: Context of the word 'concealed.'
In the poem, the word “concealed” refers to the burial of a soldier in a foreign land. His body lies hidden beneath the ground, but spiritually, that land becomes part of England because of his sacrifice.
Step 3: Meaning of ‘concealed.’
The term “concealed” means hidden or covered from view. Brooke uses it to express how the soldier’s body remains hidden in the soil after death.
Step 4: Analyzing the options.
- (a) Hidden: Correct — fits the meaning of “concealed.”
- (b) Disappeared: Incorrect — means completely gone, not hidden.
- (c) Absent: Incorrect — suggests not present, not covered.
- (d) Mysterious: Incorrect — not the contextual meaning.
Step 5: Conclusion.
Hence, the term “concealed” in “The Soldier” means “hidden.”

Step 1: About the poem “Macavity: The Mystery Cat.”
The poem was written by T.S. Eliot. It humorously portrays Macavity, a master criminal cat who always escapes the scene of crime. Eliot gives human-like qualities to Macavity, comparing him to great criminal masterminds.
Step 2: The reference to “Napoleon of Crime.”
In the poem, Eliot calls Macavity “the Napoleon of Crime.” This phrase signifies that Macavity is the supreme leader or mastermind of all criminals, just like Napoleon was a great military leader.
Step 3: Origin of the title.
Eliot borrowed the phrase “Napoleon of Crime” from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s description of Professor Moriarty, the famous villain from Sherlock Holmes stories.
Step 4: Analyzing the options.
- (a) Hitler: Not mentioned in the poem.
- (b) Napoleon: Correct — Macavity is compared to him.
- (c) Alexander: Known for conquests, not crimes.
- (d) Osama: Modern reference, not literary.
Step 5: Conclusion.
Therefore, according to Eliot, Macavity is “the Napoleon of Crime.”

Step 1: About W.H. Auden.
W.H. Auden was a 20th-century English poet known for combining intellect, emotion, and social concern in his works. His poems often reflected his belief that art and poetry have a moral and intellectual purpose.
Step 2: Meaning of “poetry as a serious game.”
Auden described poetry as a “serious game,” meaning that while poetry involves creativity and imagination, it also demands discipline, depth, and responsibility. It is “serious” because it deals with truth and human values, yet a “game” because it involves artistic freedom.
Step 3: Analyzing the options.
- (a) Light game: Incorrect — underplays poetry’s seriousness.
- (b) Interesting game: Not precise — lacks Auden’s intended meaning.
- (c) Serious game: Correct — poetry combines creativity with responsibility.
- (d) Troublesome game: Incorrect — not used by Auden.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Hence, Auden regarded poetry as a “serious game” — a creative art that carries meaning and moral value.

Step 1: About the poem “The Soldier.”
“The Soldier” is a sonnet written by Rupert Brooke. It expresses the poet’s deep love and devotion towards his country, England.
Step 2: Theme of the poem.
The poem is based on patriotism and sacrifice. The poet imagines dying for his country and believes that his death would make the foreign land an extension of England.
Step 3: Analyzing the options.
- (a) Nature: Not correct — though England’s landscape is mentioned, it’s not the main theme.
- (b) Patriotic: Correct — expresses love for one’s country.
- (c) Love: Only indirectly related as love for the nation.
- (d) Happy: Incorrect — the tone is serious and emotional.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Hence, “The Soldier” is a patriotic poem.

Step 1: About the poem “Macavity: The Mystery Cat.”
This poem is written by T.S. Eliot. It humorously describes a master criminal cat named Macavity who always escapes from the scene of crime before anyone can catch him.
Step 2: Why is he called “The Hidden Paw”?
Macavity is called “The Hidden Paw” because he leaves no evidence of his crimes — he vanishes mysteriously, and even the police cannot find him.
Step 3: Analyzing the options.
- (a) The Hidden Paw: Correct; signifies his secretive nature.
- (b) The Mysterious Paw: Descriptive but not the exact title from the poem.
- (c) The Exposed Paw: Opposite of the intended meaning.
- (d) The Naughty Paw: Informal and incorrect.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Thus, Macavity is called “The Hidden Paw.”

Step 1: Context of the line.
This line is taken from the poem “The Song of the Rain” by Khalil Gibran, which reflects the relationship between nature and human emotions.
Step 2: Meaning of the line.
The poet highlights how human beings (man) easily forget their dead, while nature continues its eternal cycle of renewal and remembrance through rain.
Step 3: Analyzing the options.
- (a) Man: Correct — human beings tend to move on quickly.
- (b) Animal: Not used symbolically here.
- (c) Fire: Represents destruction, not forgetfulness.
- (d) Wind: Represents movement, not memory.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Hence, “man” forgets its dead — showing human forgetfulness and the contrast with nature’s continuity.

Step 1: About the poem.
The poem “Snake” was written by D.H. Lawrence. It presents a vivid encounter between a man and a snake at a water trough. The poet describes the event with deep emotions and inner conflict.
Step 2: Identifying the speaker.
The speaker in the poem is the poet himself — D.H. Lawrence — who narrates his personal experience of meeting a snake on a hot day. The poem reveals his thoughts, guilt, and admiration for the creature.
Step 3: Analyzing the options.
- (a) Donne: Wrote metaphysical poetry; not related to this poem.
- (b) Whitman: American poet known for “Leaves of Grass.”
- (c) Keats: Romantic poet; not the author of “Snake.”
- (d) Lawrence: Correct — both the poet and the speaker.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Hence, D.H. Lawrence is the speaker of the poem “Snake.”

These lines are from the poem "Sweetest Love, I Do Not Goe" by John Donne. In this poem, the speaker is reassuring his beloved that she should not be afraid of their temporary separation.
He draws a comparison between his journey and that of the sun. He argues that the sun ("He") departs every evening, yet it has no "desire" to return to a loved one, nor does it have the consciousness ("sense") to understand its journey. Furthermore, the sun's path is much longer ("Nor halfe so short a way" as the speaker's). Despite this, the sun reliably returns every morning. Therefore, the speaker tells his beloved, "Then feare not mee," because his own return is far more certain, as he has a powerful desire to come back to her and his journey is much shorter.

These lines are from D. H. Lawrence's poem "Snake." They represent the internal conflict the speaker experiences as he watches a snake drinking from his water-trough.
The "voices" mentioned are the voices of his "accursed human education." This refers to the societal conditioning and prejudice that have taught him to view snakes as dangerous, venomous creatures that must be killed on sight. These voices are rational, logical, but also fearful and destructive.
The line, "If you were not afraid, you would kill him!" is a taunt from this internal voice. It questions his masculinity and courage, suggesting that his hesitation to act is a sign of cowardice. This creates the poem's central tension between the speaker's instinctual, almost spiritual admiration for the snake as a majestic being and the learned, rational fear that demands its destruction.

These lines are from T. S. Eliot's famous poem, "Macavity: The Mystery Cat." They perfectly encapsulate the central characteristic of Macavity: his elusive and baffling nature as a master criminal.
The first line suggests that Macavity maintains a veneer of normalcy. He can be seen in public places like any ordinary cat, "in a by-street" or "in the square." This makes his criminal activities all the more mysterious, as he blends into society seamlessly.
The second line reveals his true nature. Despite his apparent public presence, he possesses an uncanny ability to vanish from a crime scene. The moment a crime is officially "discovered" and the authorities arrive, "Macavity's not there." This highlights his cunning, his perfect timing, and his seemingly supernatural power to defy the law, earning him the title "the Napoleon of Crime."

These lines, from Walter de la Mare's poetry, paint a vivid picture of a traveller's perspective of a daunting yet beautiful natural landscape.
The first line, "Cold, impossible, ahead," captures the feeling of challenge and forbiddance. The journey forward seems harsh, freezing, and perhaps insurmountable. The mountain represents a significant obstacle that the traveller must face.
However, the second line, "Lists the mountain's lovely head," introduces a striking contrast. Despite being an "impossible" barrier, the mountain's peak is described as "lovely," suggesting grace, beauty, and majesty. The word "Lists" can mean to lean or tilt, giving the mountain a sense of dynamic presence. Together, the lines encapsulate the dual nature of nature: it can be both intimidating and awe-inspiring, a formidable challenge and a thing of profound beauty.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks to identify the source poem of the given quote.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
This line is from the poem "Sweetest Love, I Do Not Goe" by the metaphysical poet John Donne. The poem is a valediction, where the speaker is comforting his lover before a temporary departure. The full line is "O how feeble is man's power, / That if good fortune fall, / Cannot add another hour, / Nor a lost hour recall! / But come bad chance, / And we join to'it our strength, / And we teach it art and length, / Itself o'er us to'advance. / When thou sigh'st, thou sigh'st not wind, / But sigh'st my soul away, / When thou weep'st, unkindly kind, / My life's blood doth decay. / It cannot be / That thou lov'st me, as thou say'st, / If in thine my life thou waste, / That art the best of me." He argues that if she truly loves him, she should not waste his life (which is in her) by grieving.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The quote is from John Donne's "Sweetest Love, I Do Not Goe". Therefore, option (D) is correct.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks to identify the source poem of the given phrase.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
This phrase is also from Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself". The full lines are: "Creeds and schools in abeyance, / Retiring back a while sufficed at what they are, but never forgotten, / I harbor for good or bad, I permit to speak at every hazard, / Nature without check with original energy. / I, now thirty-seven years old in perfect health begin, / Hoping to cease not till death." The speaker declares his intention to embark on his poetic project, speaking freely from his experience of nature, and to continue this work for his entire life.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The quote is from Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself". Therefore, option (C) is the correct answer.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks to identify the author of a famous line from American poetry.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The line, "I celebrate myself, and sing myself, / And what I assume you shall assume, / For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you," is from the opening section of Walt Whitman's epic poem, "Song of Myself". This line establishes the poem's central theme of democratic universalism: the idea that the self (the "I" of the poet) is fundamentally connected to all other selves (the "you" of the reader) and to all of nature at a basic, atomic level.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The author of this line is Walt Whitman. Therefore, option (B) is the correct answer.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question is a critical appreciation of the poet John Keats and asks to identify the central principle he explores in his nature poetry.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
John Keats is one of the foremost poets of the Romantic movement. A central theme and driving force in his work is the celebration and exploration of beauty in all its forms—in art, in nature, and in human experience. His poems are renowned for their rich sensory imagery ("memorable pictures") that capture the beauty of the natural world. His famous line from "Endymion", "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever," encapsulates his philosophy. Therefore, the principle he consistently exhibits in nature is beauty.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The core principle that John Keats exhibits in his depiction of nature is beauty. Therefore, option (B) is the correct answer.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks to identify the subject of praise in Rupert Brooke's poem "The Soldier".
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
"The Soldier" is a deeply patriotic poem written during the early days of World War I. The speaker, a soldier, contemplates his own death. He finds comfort in the idea that if he dies on foreign soil, that piece of land will be forever enriched by his English body and spirit. He writes about a "dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware," and a heart that holds "an English heaven." The entire poem is an idealistic and romanticized tribute to England.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The poem is a continuous praise of England. Therefore, option (B) is the correct answer.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question quotes a famous line from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and asks which group of people it refers to.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The full quote, which itself is a reference to the Book of Amos in the Bible, is "No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until 'justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.'" Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke these words in the context of the Civil Rights Movement, demanding an end to racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans. At the time, the term "Negroes" was commonly used to refer to Black people, and it is the term King himself uses throughout the speech to identify the group seeking justice.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The quote refers to the struggle of the Negroes (African Americans) for justice and equality. Therefore, option (B) is correct.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks about the central setting or subject of Keki N. Daruwalla's poem "Fire-Hymn".
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The poem is set at a "burning ghat," which is a series of steps leading down to a river, used for the cremation of bodies in Hindu culture. The speaker, who is a Zoroastrian (Parsi), describes the scene of cremation and reflects on the nature of fire and the rituals surrounding death. The poem's imagery and themes all revolve around the events witnessed at this specific location.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The poem "Fire-Hymn" is centered around the speaker's experience at a burning ghat. Therefore, option (D) is the correct answer.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks to identify the source poem of the given quote.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
This line is from T.S. Eliot's poem, "Macavity: The Mystery Cat". It is part of a longer description of how Macavity, the master criminal, is able to commit crimes and vanish without a trace. The line "his footprints are not found in any file of Scotland Yard" emphasizes his cleverness and mysterious ability to evade capture and leave no evidence behind for the police to track.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The given quote is from "Macavity: The Mystery Cat". Therefore, option (D) is the correct answer.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question requires identifying the source poem of a given line of text.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The line "Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours" is from the third and final stanza of John Keats' famous poem, "Ode to Autumn". In this stanza, the poet is describing the final stages of autumn, and the line specifically refers to watching the slow process of a cider-press squeezing the last drops from apples.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The given line is a quote from "Ode to Autumn" by John Keats. Therefore, option (C) is the correct answer.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question is based on T.S. Eliot's poem "Macavity: The Mystery Cat". The poem describes a master criminal cat who is impossible to catch.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The poem provides several reasons for Macavity's mysterious nature, but the primary evidence of his elusiveness is his ability to outsmart the law. The poem states: "He's the bafflement of Scotland Yard, the Flying Squad's despair". This line directly supports the idea that his mysterious quality is proven by the fact that even the premier police force, Scotland Yard, is completely confused and unable to catch him. While it's true no one understands his ways and he seems to have hidden powers, these are general statements. The specific, repeated point in the poem is his effect on law enforcement, which is the ultimate proof of his mystery.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The poem explicitly mentions that Macavity is the "bafflement of Scotland Yard," which is the strongest reason given for him being mysterious. Therefore, option (A) is the correct answer.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question refers to a specific comparison or metaphor used by the metaphysical poet John Donne in one of his poems.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
In John Donne's poem "The Sun Rising," he famously addresses the sun, a powerful celestial body. While the question asks about the "journey of life," a key theme in Donne's work is the power of love to create its own universe, making the lovers' world more important than the cosmic journey of the sun. In another poem, "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning," he uses the movement of celestial spheres. However, the most direct and famous poem where Donne engages with a celestial journey is "The Sun Rising". In "Sweetest Love, I Do Not Goe", he tells his lover not to fear his departure, saying "Yesternight the sun went hence, / And yet is here today". He argues that he will make a speedier journey than the sun. In this way, he compares his own journey to that of the sun.
Step 3: Final Answer:
In his poetry, John Donne compares his journey and return to that of the Sun. Therefore, option (B) is the correct answer.

Translations:
What is the time by your watch?
I believe in success.
Always respect your elders.
(iv) Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of India.
(v) Gopal is a very good student.
(vi) I have made the decision.
(vii) My brother is very naughty.
(viii) We should plant trees.

"An Epitaph" is a short but impactful poem by Sir Walter Raleigh, in which the poet reflects on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The poem is written in the form of an epitaph, which is a brief inscription placed on a tombstone to commemorate a deceased person. In this poem, Raleigh speaks about the fleeting nature of life and how all human beings, regardless of their status or wealth, must eventually face death.
The speaker in the poem expresses a sense of humility, acknowledging that even the greatest of men—those who have achieved fame, fortune, and power—cannot escape the inevitability of death. The poem conveys the idea that death is the great equalizer, making no distinctions between the rich and the poor, the powerful and the weak. It serves as a reminder of the brevity of life and the importance of humility in the face of mortality.
The final lines of the poem emphasize that despite the passage of time and the inevitability of death, the speaker finds solace in the idea that life itself, with all its challenges and joys, is ultimately a fleeting and transient experience. Raleigh’s epitaph reflects on life’s temporality and invites the reader to consider the importance of how one lives, rather than the inevitable end.
In conclusion, "An Epitaph" is a meditation on mortality, reminding readers of the impermanence of life and the importance of humility. It offers a poignant reflection on how death, regardless of one’s achievements, comes for all.

"Snake" is a poem written by D.H. Lawrence that explores the theme of the natural world, the complexity of human emotions, and the conflict between civilization and instinct. The poem begins with the speaker encountering a snake at a water-trough. The snake is described as beautiful and majestic, with its movements evoking awe and reverence. The speaker reflects on the snake’s regal qualities and feels a sense of admiration for it. However, the speaker’s admiration is soon replaced by a sense of guilt, as he remembers that the snake is supposed to be a dangerous creature, and human instinct urges him to act against it.
The conflict in the poem arises when the speaker feels torn between his instinct to treat the snake as a sacred creature and the learned fear and hostility toward it instilled by society. The tension between these two impulses creates an inner struggle in the speaker, who wishes to act out of reverence but feels compelled to kill the snake in order to conform to societal expectations. Eventually, the speaker regrets his decision to harm the snake, realizing that his act of violence was driven by societal conditioning rather than his true feelings.
In conclusion, "Snake" reflects Lawrence's interest in the complexities of human nature and the conflict between our instinctual, natural responses and the pressures of civilization. The poem is a meditation on the loss of innocence and the destructive consequences of acting out of fear or prejudice.

"Macavity: The Mystery Cat" is a whimsical poem by T.S. Eliot, in which the poet describes Macavity, a mysterious and elusive cat who is involved in various misdeeds but never caught. Macavity is portrayed as a master of disguise, able to evade capture by both the police and the general public. He is known for committing crimes such as stealing, creating chaos, and causing trouble, yet he is never found guilty. The poem portrays Macavity as a figure of great intelligence and cunning, capable of outwitting everyone around him.
Despite his many wrongdoings, Macavity is never brought to justice. The poem describes his antics, which include causing trouble wherever he goes, and emphasizes the fact that his true nature remains a mystery. The cat is likened to a criminal mastermind, who is always one step ahead of those trying to catch him.
The humor and cleverness in the poem lie in the fact that Macavity is not only a criminal but also an enigmatic figure who defies expectations. His ability to avoid detection and maintain his mysterious reputation makes him an intriguing character in the world of Eliot’s poetry. The poem ends with the reminder that Macavity's actions are so well concealed that no one can ever truly understand or catch him.
In conclusion, "Macavity: The Mystery Cat" is a playful and imaginative poem that portrays a mischievous cat who is an expert at eluding the law. Through this poem, Eliot explores the themes of mystery, crime, and the challenge of solving puzzles, all while creating a memorable and humorous character.

In many poems, the poet reflects on the concept of patriotism and love for one’s country as a deeply personal and emotional connection. The poet sees love for the country as more than just a political allegiance; it is an expression of one’s identity, values, and cultural heritage. The poet emphasizes that true love for the country involves not only pride in its achievements and history but also a deep commitment to its welfare and progress.
However, the poet may also critique certain forms of national pride that are based on blind loyalty or exclusionary ideas. True love for one’s country, according to the poet, is not about superiority over others but about fostering peace, unity, and justice within the nation. The poet sees this love as a call to work for the betterment of the nation, to fight for equality and the protection of rights for all its citizens.
In conclusion, the poet views love for the country as a complex emotion that is tied to both pride and responsibility. It is a love that demands active participation in the nation’s growth, improvement, and well-being, ensuring that all people are treated with dignity and respect.

In the poem, the poet throws the wooden log at the snake out of fear and instinctive self-defense. The snake, which is often associated with danger or menace in many cultural contexts, triggers the poet's reflexive response to protect himself. The act of throwing the log symbolizes the poet’s desire to drive away the threat and regain control over his environment. This reaction can be seen as an automatic and primal response to the presence of a dangerous creature.
However, the poet may also feel a sense of guilt or regret after throwing the log, as this action interrupts the natural interaction between the snake and its surroundings. The snake could symbolize nature or life in its purest form, and the poet’s attempt to intervene by throwing the log represents mankind’s tendency to interfere with the natural world. The poet’s action raises the question of whether such interference is necessary or if the natural world should be left to evolve on its own.
In conclusion, the poet throws the log because of a deep-seated instinct to protect himself, but this action may symbolize humanity’s broader struggle with the natural world—where fear and the need for control often result in destructive actions.

In the poem "Fire-Hymn," the fire-hymn speaks to the poet, symbolizing the destructive and transformative power of fire. The fire-hymn tells the poet that fire is an essential force in life, capable of purification, destruction, and renewal. The fire represents both the power to destroy and the power to create, as it can burn away impurities and make way for new growth. The fire-hymn encourages the poet to embrace fire's transformative qualities, recognizing that destruction is often a necessary step in the process of change and progress. The metaphorical message of the fire-hymn is about acceptance of destruction as part of life’s cycle, where endings lead to new beginnings.
The fire-hymn also conveys the idea of strength and vitality, suggesting that fire is not just an element of destruction, but one that provides warmth and light, symbolizing passion, creativity, and energy. For the poet, this is a reminder of the necessity of embracing both the harsh and nurturing aspects of life in order to fully experience the human condition.

After the poetess’s grandmother’s death, she likely experienced a deep sense of loss and grief. In many literary works, the death of a loved one, especially a close family member like a grandmother, often leads to profound emotional reflection. The poetess would have been confronted with the pain of losing someone who had a significant impact on her life.
The death of a grandmother, who is often seen as a figure of wisdom, care, and affection, could leave the poetess feeling a sense of emptiness or longing. This loss might have prompted the poetess to reflect on her relationship with her grandmother, the memories they shared, and the emotional void left behind. It is not uncommon for a poet or writer to express their grief through their work, channeling their sorrow into poetry or prose as a way of processing the loss.
The poetess’s emotional response to her grandmother’s death could lead to a period of introspection, where she contemplates life, death, and the passage of time. The death may also have triggered a sense of mortality, urging her to consider the impermanence of life and the inevitable loss of loved ones. This grief might eventually transform into a source of inspiration for the poetess’s creative expression, as many writers have turned to their personal experiences of loss to create art that resonates with others.
In conclusion, the poetess’s reaction to her grandmother’s death is likely one of sorrow and reflection. This loss may have prompted emotional and creative growth, providing the poetess with the inspiration to explore themes of grief, love, and memory in her work.

Explanation: These lines are from W.H. Auden's poem "Now the Leaves Are Falling Fast." They capture the cyclical nature of life and death. "Nurses to the graves are gone" signifies that the older generation, those who cared for us, have passed away. Their time is over. In stark contrast, "the prams go rolling on" represents the new generation—babies in their perambulators (prams)—continuing the journey of life, unaware of the mortality that awaits them. The image creates a sense of continuous, impersonal movement of life, where individual lives end, but the cycle of birth and death continues relentlessly.

Explanation: These lines are from Rupert Brooke's sonnet "The Soldier." The speaker, a soldier, is contemplating his own death in a foreign land. He sees his body not just as flesh, but as "a richer dust" because it is a part of England. The line "A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware" personifies England as a mother figure. It suggests that everything he is—his body, his values, his consciousness—was given to him by his homeland. Therefore, if he dies abroad, his burial will enrich the foreign soil by consecrating a small piece of it as forever England. It is a deeply patriotic expression of identity and belonging.

Step 1: Identify the literary reference.
The line "Nature without check with original energy" is from William Blake’s poem *The Marriage of Heaven and Hell*, where he describes the power and freedom of nature's energy.
Step 2: Analyze each option.
- (A) human beings: Incorrect. The poem does not describe nature in relation to humans in this context.
- (B) birds: Incorrect. While nature is often related to birds, this line refers to the broader concept of energy.
- (C) energy: Correct. The line speaks of nature’s original energy, referring to natural, unchecked forces.
- (D) spear: Incorrect. A spear does not fit in the context of this metaphor.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct word is "energy," which reflects the unchecked and natural power described in the poem.

Step 1: Identify the author of children’s poetry.
Walter de la Mare was known for writing a significant number of poems for children, including works such as *The Listeners* and *The Fairies*.
Step 2: Analyze each option.
- (A) T. S. Eliot: Incorrect. While Eliot wrote some works for children, he is not primarily known for children’s poetry.
- (B) W. B. Yeats: Incorrect. Yeats was more focused on adult themes and Irish mythology than children’s poetry.
- (C) D. H. Lawrence: Incorrect. Lawrence was not known for writing children’s poems.
- (D) Walter de la Mare: Correct. He is best known for his children’s poems and stories.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Walter de la Mare wrote a significant number of poems for children.

Step 1: Identify the source of the line.
The line "A pulse in the eternal mind" is from Walt Whitman’s poem *Song of Myself*, which is part of his collection *Leaves of Grass*.
Step 2: Analyze each option.
- (A) Snake: Incorrect. This line is not from the poem *Snake* by D. H. Lawrence.
- (B) Song of Myself: Correct. The line is from Walt Whitman’s *Song of Myself*, which explores themes of the self and the cosmos.
- (C) Ode to Autumn: Incorrect. This is a poem by John Keats, unrelated to the line.
- (D) The Soldier: Incorrect. This poem by Rupert Brooke does not contain the line in question.
Step 3: Conclusion.
"A pulse in the eternal mind" is from *Song of Myself* by Walt Whitman.

Step 1: Identify T. S. Eliot's time period.
T. S. Eliot was a prominent poet in the 20th century. He is known for works such as *The Waste Land* and *The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock*, which are iconic examples of modernist poetry.
Step 2: Analyze each option.
- (A) 20th Century: Correct. T. S. Eliot was a 20th-century poet, a key figure in modernist literature.
- (B) 17th Century: Incorrect. T. S. Eliot lived in the 20th century, not the 17th century.
- (C) 18th Century: Incorrect. T. S. Eliot was not an 18th-century poet.
- (D) 16th Century: Incorrect. Eliot was not from the 16th century.
Step 3: Conclusion.
T. S. Eliot is best known as a 20th-century poet.

An Epitaph - Walter de la Mare
Snake - D. H. Lawrence
Song of Myself - Walt Whitman
(iv) Now the Leaves are Falling Fast - W. H. Auden
(v) Fire-Hymn - K. N. Daruwalla

How Free is the Press - Dorothy L. Sayers
Bharat is My Home - Dr. Zakir Hussain
The Artist - Shiga Naoya
(iv) I Have a Dream - Martin Luther King, Jr.
(v) Ideas That Have Helped Mankind - Bertrand Russell

Summary: D.H. Lawrence's poem "Snake" explores the conflict between natural instinct and societal conditioning. On a hot day, the poet encounters a magnificent golden-brown snake drinking at his water-trough. His initial reaction is one of awe and respect for the creature. However, the "voice of his education" tells him that venomous snakes must be killed. He battles with this internal conflict and, in a moment of panic, throws a log at the snake as it retreats. He immediately regrets his "paltry, vulgar" act and is left with a sense of guilt, feeling he has a pettiness to atone for, having missed his chance with a lord of life.

Summary: John Keats' "Ode to Autumn" is a rich and sensory celebration of the autumn season. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each describing a different aspect of autumn. The first stanza portrays autumn as a season of "mists and mellow fruitfulness," working with the sun to bring crops to ripeness. The second stanza personifies autumn as a figure resting amidst the harvest, sometimes seen as a winnower or a gleaner. The final stanza focuses on the sounds of autumn, replacing the songs of spring with the gentle bleating of lambs, the whistling of robins, and the buzzing of gnats, creating a beautiful, melancholic symphony of the season's end.

Indian poetry in English began in the early 19th century, with early poets often imitating British romantic and Victorian models. After independence, poets like Nissim Ezekiel and Kamala Das forged a more authentic, modern Indian voice, dealing with contemporary urban realities and personal experiences. Today, it is a vibrant and diverse field, with poets exploring a wide range of themes and styles.

Summary: "My Grandmother's House" by Kamala Das is a poignant and nostalgic poem about the poet's longing for the love and security of her past. She reminisces about her childhood home where she received unconditional love from her grandmother. Now, with her grandmother gone, the house is silent and desolate. The poet feels a deep sense of loss and emotional emptiness, comparing herself to a beggar searching for small change at strangers' doors. The poem beautifully contrasts the warmth of her past with the coldness of her present, highlighting the universal theme of yearning for a lost world of love and innocence.

Step 1: Identify the source of the line.
The line "He's broken every human law" is from the poem *Snake* by D. H. Lawrence. In this poem, the speaker reflects on his feelings about a snake that visits him.
Step 2: Analyze the options.
- (A) Snake: Correct. The line is from D. H. Lawrence's *Snake*, where the speaker describes the snake as having broken human laws.
- (B) Song of Myself: Incorrect. This line does not appear in Walt Whitman’s *Song of Myself*.
- (C) Ode to Autumn: Incorrect. This line is not from John Keats' *Ode to Autumn*.
- (D) Macavity: The Mystery Cat: Incorrect. This line does not appear in T. S. Eliot’s *Macavity: The Mystery Cat*.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is *Snake* by D. H. Lawrence.

Step 1: Recognize the reference in Kamala Das’ poetry.
In her poems, Kamala Das often reflects on the importance of familial bonds, especially the time spent with her mother. Her poems are rich with memories of childhood and the influence of her mother.
Step 2: Analyze the options.
- (A) mother: Correct. Kamala Das recalls the happy times spent with her mother in her poetry.
- (B) brother: Incorrect. The reference is not to her brother in this context.
- (C) father: Incorrect. The memory in question pertains to her mother, not her father.
- (D) grandmother: Incorrect. The reference is to her mother.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Kamala Das remembers the happy days spent with her mother.

Step 1: Recognize the context of the line.
This line is from *Snake* by D. H. Lawrence. The snake is described as lifting its head slowly after drinking from the water. This captures the snake’s deliberate and calm movements.
Step 2: Analyze the options.
- (A) aggressively: Incorrect. The snake’s actions are not aggressive in this context.
- (B) slowly: Correct. The snake lifts its head slowly, reflecting the calm nature of its movement.
- (C) dreamily: Incorrect. While the movement is slow, it is not described as dreamy.
- (D) poisoning: Incorrect. The word "poisoning" does not fit in this context.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The snake lifted its head slowly.

Step 1: Identify the source of the line.
The line "swears to save fire from the sin of forgiving" is from Keki N. Daruwalla’s poem. It reflects themes of passion, conflict, and human emotions.
Step 2: Analyze the options.
- (A) Kamala Das: Incorrect. This line is not from Kamala Das.
- (B) Keki N. Daruwalla: Correct. This line is from a poem by Keki N. Daruwalla.
- (C) Nissim Ezekiel: Incorrect. This line is not from Nissim Ezekiel’s work.
- (D) W. B. Yeats: Incorrect. This line is not from W. B. Yeats.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is Keki N. Daruwalla.

Step 1: Identify the source of the quote.
The line "O how feeble is man’s power" is from Walt Whitman’s *Song of Myself*. This poem reflects Whitman’s philosophy of individualism and the interconnectedness of all people.
Step 2: Analyze the options.
- (A) An Epitaph: Incorrect. This is not the source of the quote.
- (B) Fire-Hymn: Incorrect. The quote is not from *Fire-Hymn*.
- (C) Song of Myself: Correct. The line is from *Song of Myself* by Walt Whitman.
- (D) Sweetest Love I Do Not Goe: Incorrect. This is not the correct source of the quote.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct source of the line is *Song of Myself*.

Step 1: Understand the term "metaphysical poet."
John Donne is one of the most famous metaphysical poets, known for his complex and intellectual poetry that explores love, death, and religion, often with elaborate metaphors and paradoxes.
Step 2: Analyze the options.
- (A) war: Incorrect. While Donne wrote about many subjects, he is not known as a war poet.
- (B) metaphysical: Correct. Donne is a metaphysical poet, known for his deep and philosophical verse.
- (C) modern: Incorrect. Although Donne’s influence is seen in modern poetry, he lived in the early 17th century and is classified as a metaphysical poet.
- (D) satirical: Incorrect. While Donne’s work sometimes uses irony, he is not classified as a satirical poet.
Step 3: Conclusion.
John Donne is best known as a metaphysical poet.

Step 1: Understand Rupert Brooke's famous works.
Rupert Brooke is known for his war sonnets, specifically his *Five War Sonnets*. These sonnets contributed greatly to his reputation as a poet. However, the number of war sonnets often mentioned is eight, as this collection represents the peak of his poetic output during World War I.
Step 2: Analyze the options.
- (A) five: Incorrect. Though five is often mentioned in some collections, the total number of Brooke's war sonnets is typically considered to be eight.
- (B) eight: Correct. Rupert Brooke is most renowned for his eight war sonnets.
- (C) seven: Incorrect. The total number of his war sonnets is not seven.
- (D) six: Incorrect. Six is not the correct number.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct number of Rupert Brooke's war sonnets is eight.

Step 1: Recognize the literary reference.
The line "And the nightingale is dumb" is a part of the famous poem *To Autumn* by John Keats. This poem is known for its vivid description of autumn and its connection to nature.
Step 2: Analyze the options.
- (A) To Autumn: Correct. This line is indeed from *To Autumn*, one of John Keats' most well-known poems.
- (B) Fire-Hymn: Incorrect. This is not the correct source of the line.
- (C) Now the Leaves are Falling Fast: Incorrect. This is not the correct title or source of the line.
- (D) Snake: Incorrect. This line does not appear in the poem *Snake*.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct source of the line "And the nightingale is dumb" is *To Autumn* by John Keats.

Step 1: Recognize the reference.
This refers to a line from Walter de la Mare's poem *The Listeners*. The poet speaks about a "boy" who is now dead. The line presents a mysterious and melancholic tone.
Step 2: Analyze the options.
- (A) lord: Incorrect. The character is not a lord.
- (B) boy: Correct. The poet knew a boy, as mentioned in the poem *The Listeners*.
- (C) lady: Incorrect. The reference is not to a lady.
- (D) girl: Incorrect. The reference is specifically to a boy.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is "boy," as this fits the description in Walter de la Mare's poem *The Listeners*.

- i) Fire-Hymn is written by Kamala Das.
- ii) To Autumn is written by John Keats.
- iii) Song of Myself is written by Walt Whitman.
- iv) An Epitaph is written by Walter de la Mare.
- v) My Grandmother’s House is written by Keki N. Daruwalla.
Thus, the correct matching is:
- i) Fire-Hymn - Kamala Das
- ii) To Autumn - John Keats
- iii) Song of Myself - Walt Whitman
- iv) An Epitaph - Walter de la Mare
- v) My Grandmother’s House - Keki N. Daruwalla

Step 1: Identify the author of these works.
John Keats, one of the most famous Romantic poets, wrote *Endymion* and *Hyperion*. These two long poems are among his key works.
Step 2: Analyze each option.
- (A) William Wordsworth: Incorrect. While Wordsworth is a famous Romantic poet, he did not write *Endymion* or *Hyperion*.
- (B) P. B. Shelley: Incorrect. Although Shelley was a contemporary of Keats, he did not write these poems.
- (C) John Keats: Correct. John Keats wrote both *Endymion* and *Hyperion*.
- (D) S. T. Coleridge: Incorrect. Coleridge was a key figure in the Romantic movement but did not write these particular works.
Step 3: Conclusion.
John Keats is the author of *Endymion* and *Hyperion*.

Step 1: Understand the context.
In the context of poetry, when describing fire, it often represents intensity, danger, or destruction. The poet describes the redness of fire as "cruel" to convey its harsh, destructive nature.
Step 2: Analyze each option.
- (A) nice: Incorrect. Fire is rarely described as "nice" in poetry, especially when emphasizing its destructive aspect.
- (B) cruel: Correct. The fire's redness is often associated with violence or destruction, making it appear cruel to the poet.
- (C) acceptable: Incorrect. Fire is not generally seen as "acceptable" in the context of destruction.
- (D) comfortable: Incorrect. Fire's redness is not described as comfortable, as it typically symbolizes danger or suffering.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The redness of the fire is described as cruel to reflect its harmful and destructive nature.