Question

Fair youth, beneath the trees, thou canst not leave
Thy song, nor ever can those trees be bare;
Bold Lover, never, never canst thou kiss,
Though winning near the goal-yet, do not grieve;
She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss,
For ever wilt thou love, and she be fair!
-"Ode on a Grecian Urn,"
John Keats
What is the topic of the passage?
The beauty of nature
The images on a work of art
Achievement of goals
What does the passage say about this topic?
The images on urn never change
Trees are most beautiful in spring
Some folks don’t achieve goals
What theme does the passage express?

Answer 1

The topic of the passage is indeed  The images on a work of art.

Here's why:

• The poem mentions "Ode on a Grecian Urn" by John Keats, hinting at a focus on art.

• Words like "urn" and "fair youth" suggest a scene depicted on an object.

• Lines like "those trees be bare" and "She cannot fade" imply a static, unchanging image.

Though the passage touches on beauty and unattained desires, these themes relate to the artwork, not nature itself.

The passage says that the images on the urn never change.

• "Never canst thou leave" and "Never canst thou kiss" point to the permanence of the scene.

The theme the passage expresses is the  immortality of art.

• The beauty and emotions captured in the artwork will forever remain, even if the characters or goals depicted are unfulfilled.