Read the stanza from "To William Lloyd Garrison" and answer the question. Speak in the slumbering nation's ear, As thou hast ever spoken, Until the dead in sin shall hear, The fetter's link be broken. Why does Whittier use the word slumbering in these lines to describe the nation?

a. to emphasize that this is a dark time of history

b. to reinforce the idea that death for sinners is near

c. to show that the main action of the poem takes place at dark

d. to encourage readers to open their eyes to the evils of slavery

Question

Karen Hanna

English

2 October, 08:09

Read the stanza from "To William Lloyd Garrison" and answer the question. Speak in the slumbering nation's ear, As thou hast ever spoken, Until the dead in sin shall hear, The fetter's link be broken. Why does Whittier use the word slumbering in these lines to describe the nation?

a. to emphasize that this is a dark time of history

b. to reinforce the idea that death for sinners is near

c. to show that the main action of the poem takes place at dark

d. to encourage readers to open their eyes to the evils of slavery

+3

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Lucia Sullivan · Answer 1

d. to encourage readers to open their eyes to the evils of slavery

Explanation:

To slumber means to sleep. In the stanza from the anti-slavery poem "To William Lloyd Garrison," the author makes use of the word slumbering to refer to those who are unaware of or ignore the inhuman conditions of the slavery system in America. Therefore, he means that he wants everyone to hear about it, even the sinful dead, so that the chains around the ankles of slaves can be broken and they can be free.