Lesson 10.2: I'm Happiest When Most Away

Which of the following statements best express a theme in the poem?

• Daydreaming is a nice escape from one’s problems, but it is not a permanent solution.

• One’s soul can only truly be at peace after it has left one’s body in death.

• People should embrace being alone and the peace it can bring.

• People shouldn’t feel ashamed for being different, as there are many ways of being happy.

What does the phrase “home of clay” mean as used in line 2?

• The phrase suggests that the speaker feels trapped while indoors and would prefer to be outside.

• The phrase refers to a society that restricts the speaker’s freedoms because of her gender.

• The phrase suggests that the speaker feels limited by boring reality and so she uses her studies as a means of escape.

• The phrase refers to the speaker’s body as she imagines herself free of her body's physical confinement.

Which of the following phrases best supports the theme of the poem?

• “I'm happiest when most away / I can bear my soul from its home of clay” (Lines 1-2)

• “On a windy night when the moon is bright / And the eye can wander through worlds of light — ” (Lines 3-4)

• “When I am not and none beside — / Nor earth nor sea nor cloudless sky — ” (Lines 5-6)

• “But only spirit wandering wide / Through infinite immensity” (Lines 7-8)

What does the phrase “home of clay” mean as used in line 2?

• The phrase suggests that the speaker feels trapped while indoors and would prefer to be outside.

• The phrase refers to a society that restricts the speaker’s freedoms because of her gender.

• The phrase suggests that the speaker feels limited by boring reality and so she uses her studies as a means of escape.

• he phrase refers to the speaker’s body as she imagines herself free of her body's physical confinement.

How does the poet's use of dashes in lines 4-6 contribute to the meaning of the poem?

• The dashes suggest contemplative pauses that reflect how the speaker’s thoughts expand as her soul expands “away” into the universe.

• The dashes suggest that everything in the universe is connected, just as the lines are connected by the dashes.

• The dashes suggest that the universe is actually empty and meaningless, just as the dashes are silent and represent nothing.

• The dashes suggest that the speaker can only speak in short phrases because she is dying, and the dashes represent her labored breathing.

What does the speaker likely mean by being "away"?

• 
  

• • she is dead

• • she is avoiding someone she hates

• • she is daydreaming

• • she is traveling

How does the poet relate to the world when she is alone?

• • she feels bigger than sky or sea

• • she feels like an untethered, wandering spirit

• • she feels deeply connected to nature

• • she feels like she is dead

Which of the following statements best expresses a theme in the poem?

• • One’s soul can only truly be at peace after it has left one’s body in death.

• • Daydreaming is a nice escape from one’s problems, but it is not a permanent solution.

• • People shouldn’t feel ashamed for being different, as there are many ways of being happy.

• • People should embrace being alone and the peace it can bring.

How does the poet's use of dashes in lines 4-6 contribute to the meaning of the poem?

• • The dashes suggest that the universe is actually empty and meaningless, just as the dashes are silent and represent nothing.

• • The dashes suggest that the speaker can only speak in short phrases because she is dying, and the dashes represent her labored breathing.

• • The dashes suggest contemplative pauses that reflect how the speaker’s thoughts expand as her soul expands “away” into the universe.

• • The dashes suggest that everything in the universe is connected, just as the lines are connected by the dashes.