Question 14

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, / Old time is still a-flying employs personification.

This line attributes human qualities to "Old time," suggesting it has the ability to fly, which is an example of personification. The phrase encourages seizing the moment while time is still in motion, adding a layer of urgency to the human experience.

A) About suffering they were never wrong, / The Old Masters

This line does not employ personification as it does not attribute human traits to non-human entities. Instead, it reflects on the wisdom of the Old Masters regarding suffering, focusing on a more abstract concept rather than giving life-like qualities to an inanimate object.

B) Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, / Old time is still a-flying

This option is correct because it personifies "Old time" by suggesting it can fly, thus endowing it with human-like characteristics. This usage emphasizes the fleeting nature of time and the importance of appreciating life's moments.

C) Turning and turning in the widening gyre / The falcon cannot hear the falconer

This line does not incorporate personification, as it talks about a falcon and a falconer without attributing human emotions or actions to them. The imagery reflects a sense of disconnection rather than assigning human attributes.

D) Without contamination doth she live / In quietness, without anxiety

This line does not use personification, as "she" is likely referring to a concept or entity that is not given human characteristics. The focus is on the state of living in purity and tranquility rather than on human-like actions or traits.

Conclusion

The correct answer, B, effectively illustrates personification by endowing "Old time" with the ability to fly, thereby emphasizing the passage of time. The other options lack this literary device, focusing instead on abstract ideas or relationships without attributing human-like qualities to them. Thus, B stands out as the only line that employs personification in the context of the question.