Question #N601
The poet begins the poem by describing the speaker's childhood as a time of innocence and wonder. As the poem progresses, the speaker's perspective shifts, and they begin to see the world with more maturity and understanding. What is the effect of the writer's use of "formerly"?
The word “formerly” is used to
A. highlight the speaker’s past innocence.
B. create a sense of urgency and immediacy.
C. emphasize the speaker’s current understanding.
D. foreshadow the speaker’s future experiences.
Correct Answer is: A
The word "formerly" establishes a contrast between the speaker's past and present. This emphasizes the speaker's past innocence and contrasts it with their current understanding of the world.