Read this stanza from Allen Ginsberg’s "A Supermarket in California." What thoughts I have of you tonight, Walt Whitman, for I walked down the sidestreets under the trees with a headache self-conscious looking at the full moon. Which statement best describes the scene in the first stanza of Ginsberg’s poem?
Answer
A
The speaker is busy gazing at the full moon when he bumps into a former acquaintance.
B
The speaker is taking a lonely stroll at night while reflecting on the words of a favorite poet.
C
The speaker is hastily making his way to the local supermarket to meet up with an old friend.
D
The speaker is eager to return to the safety of his home and read poems by Walt Whitman.
Explanation
The speaker describes walking down sidestreets at night, looking at the full moon, and thinking of Walt Whitman. The moonlit walk and reflective tone suggest a solitary stroll spent thinking about a poet he admires. Nothing in the stanza says he bumps into someone, heads home, or goes to a supermarket, so B is the best choice.
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