"The Inner Chamber" is an 1870 poem by a fictional 19th-century poet. In the poem, the speaker suggests that the individuals he addresses have failed to recognize their own potential, claiming, ______
Which excerpt from "The Inner Chamber" most effectively corroborates this assertion?
"You have walked past the mirror of your soul daily, / Yet never once paused to gaze at the reflection within."
" The mountains stand tall against the grey sky, / Just as your ambitions tower over the valley below."
"I have written your name in the sand and the snow, / Hoping the elements would carry my voice to your door."
"I shall abandon the city to sing songs of your virtue, / For no other ear has heard the melody you possess."
Correct Answer: A
Choice A is the best answer because it directly corroborates the claim that the individuals have not recognized their own potential (have not "known what you are"). The metaphor of walking past a mirror without looking at the reflection suggests a failure to see or understand one's true self.
Choice B focuses on nature and ambition but does not imply a lack of self-awareness. Choice C focuses on the speaker's attempt to communicate, not the subject's lack of self-knowledge. Choice D focuses on the speaker's perception of the subject, rather than the subject's failure to perceive themselves.