The following text is from Emily Dickinson’s poem “Hope is the thing with feathers,” first published in 1891.
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –
I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet – never – in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.
A student claims that the poem portrays hope as something that sustains the speaker without demanding anything in return. Which quotation from the poem most effectively illustrates this claim?
Select one option.