Question

Read "Hope" by Joseph Addison and answer the question that follows.

Our lives, discoloured with our present woes,
May still grow white and shine with happier hours.
So the pure limped stream, when foul with stains
Of rushing torrents and descending rains,
Works itself clear, and as it runs refines,
till by degrees the floating mirror shines;
Reflects each flower that on the border grows,
And a new heaven in it's fair bosom shows

How does the transformation of the stream from muddy to clear contribute to the overall meaning of the poem?

It symbolizes the permanent nature of happiness.
It suggests that life is always in a state of chaos.
It represents the destructive power of rushing water.
It illustrates the possibility of renewal and starting over despite difficulties.

Answer 1

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

It illustrates the possibility of renewal and starting over despite difficulties.