The Second Coming

1. What is the “widening gyre” (Line 1)?

A) a classical Greek stringed instrument

B) an increasing circular vortex

C) the sounds made by a wind harp

D) an expanding series of zigzag movements

2. In Line 2, what does the falcon symbolize?

A) death

B) freedom

C) humanity

D) rebirth

3. In the first stanza, how does the speaker depict his or her world?

A) Times are dangerous, but morality keeps anarchy in check.

B) Society is violent and deteriorating.

C) The innocent will rise above challenges like the crest of a wave.

D) Good people are standing up to the actions of evil people.

4. According to the speaker, what event in the second stanza is heralded by details in the first stanza? (short answer)

5. What mythical figure does the beast in Line 14 resemble?

A) a griffin

B) Pegasus

C) a gorgon

D) a sphinx

6. To what does “twenty centuries of stony sleep” in Line 19 refer? (short answer)