Multiple Choice Explanations: "A Smile to Remember"

1.)    The correct answer is B because the poem is first started off this way in order to foreshadow or set up the mother’s feelings and therefore clarify the next lines; therefore A cannot be the answer. The repetition of “around and around”, and the visual that the line provides enhances the theme of entrapment by this feeling of monotony, therefore C cannot be the answer. The fish’s actions clearly show that they don’t have the ability to venture anywhere but the containment of the bowl, therefore D cannot be the answer. The fish are seen throughout the poem representing the mother’s burden; therefore E cannot be the answer. The narrator is specifically referencing his mother and only exists as a character to reveal the mother’s feelings; therefore B is the correct answer.

2.)    The mother’s constant obsession with keeping her son happy along with their truly dreary situation show that the mother is discontented with her life but avoidant of acknowledging her true feelings, therefore C is the correct answer.

3.)    The word “can” on its own line gives it emphasis and because of the emphasis, suggests that not everyone is able to be happy; therefore D is the correct answer.

4.)    Smiling continues to reoccur throughout the poem proving that it holds deeper meaning. The contrast between the emphasis to smile and the horridness of their situation shows that the smile isn’t genuine; therefore C is the correct answer.

5.)     Because of the inclusion of the father’s large height and the implication that he was not entirely emotionally stable, we can infer that, although the father uses his strength to get what he wants, he is torn up emotionally. Therefore A is the correct answer.