1. C) they are poor
Beans are among the least expensive foods globally, and while they are delicious and nutritious, individuals with greater means are less likely to consume them as frequently as the elderly couple described by the author, who primarily eats beans. In this poem, the act of consuming beans is just one of several indicators that reveal their financial struggles.
2. A) One message Brooks intends to convey is the mundane quality of their very limited lifestyle.
Brooks depicts a straightforward scenario: an elderly couple in poverty dining in their "rented back room," showcasing their routine actions and traits. They are "Mostly Good," engage in daily tasks such as getting dressed, tidying up, and reminiscing (standard for older individuals). At first glance, these characters lack excitement or intrigue, as they partake in ordinary activities. However, the author seeks to draw the reader's focus to the beauty in these simple, everyday moments, underscoring the basic nature of the couple's existence.
3) A) "Remembering, with twinklings and twinges,"
For numerous elderly individuals, recalling joyful moments serves as a key source of happiness, influencing their daily lives even if it doesn't elicit the same excitement as before. For this couple, the memories are vivid enough to evoke “twinklings and twinges" in the present.
4) The narrator of this poem is A) an observer, akin to a fly on the wall.
The narration occurs from a third-person perspective, viewed through an external lens, as shown by the use of pronouns like "They" and referring to them as "Two".
