Author's Style and Layers of Meaning in Cane — Quiz
Question 4 • English Language Arts 11
Read the excerpt from "Fern” in Cane. From the train window I saw her as I crossed the road. Saw her on her porch, head tilted a little forward where the nail was, eyes vaguely focused on the sunset. Saw her face flow into them, the countryside and something that I call God, flowing into them. Which statement best describes Toomer’s use of diction in this excerpt?
Answer
A
The description of Fern’s head as “tilted a little forward” suggests that she be sleeping.
B
The use of the word “God” illustrates that the narrator and Fern are relying on religion to comfort them.
C
The repetition of the phrase “saw her” suggests that the speaker is intensely focused on Fern.
D
The word “vaguely” implies that the speaker does not have much memory of his time with Fern.