Neutral Tones

What does the speaker remember about the time he was dumped by his girlfriend?

• C. Sitting in a park on an Autumn day

• D. Walking on a beach on a Spring day

• B. Standing by a river on a Summer's day

• A. Standing by a pond on a Winter's day

What does the winter symbolize in the poem?

• D. Joy and excitement

• C. New beginnings

• A. Warmth and happiness

• B. Coldness and the ending of the relationship

What does the sun symbolize in the poem?

• A. Warmth and passion

• B. Coldness and death of the relationship

• D. Sadness and despair

• C. Hope and renewal

What does the reference to God in the poem suggest?

• C. Indifference towards the breakup

• B. Disapproval of the breakup

• A. Approval of the breakup

• D. Support for the speaker

What does the description of the leaves lying on the starving sod symbolize?

• A. Growth and vitality

• B. Decay and loss of hope

• D. Renewal and new beginnings

• C. Happiness and joy

What does the speaker feel about love after the breakup?

• B. Cynical and betrayed

• C. Indifferent and apathetic

• A. Optimistic and hopeful

• D. Excited and passionate

What does the smile on the lover's mouth symbolize in the poem?

• C. Mockery and bitterness

• D. Excitement and passion

• B. Sincerity and love

• A. Happiness and joy

What does the reference to the ominous bird flying symbolize?

• D. Hope and renewal

• C. Love and affection

• B. Sorrow and despair

• A. Freedom and happiness

What does the speaker's view of nature in the poem symbolize?

• C. Renewal and new beginnings

• B. Stillness and lack of passion

• A. Vibrancy and life

• D. Joy and excitement

What is the structure of the poem symbolic of?

• C. The speaker's hope for a new relationship

• B. The cyclical nature of the speaker's unhappiness

• D. The speaker's indifference towards love

• A. The speaker's acceptance of the breakup