Which best describes the irony in "a man said to the universe"? 1. the man's attempt to communicate with the universe is ignorant. 2. the universe it knowledges the man's existence simply by responding to him. 3. the man can only exist if the university acknowledges his existence. 4. the man is obligated to show respect to the universe

The correct answer is option 2. The universe it knowledges the man's existence simply by responding to him.

Explanation:

In the poem "A Man Said to the Universe" by Stephen Crane there is a clear example of naturalism.

Naturalism is a literary genre in which the universe or nature is shown as the total owner of everything. The universe determines and rules over human life, and downplays it.

In this poem, a man tries to get the attention of the Universe and the Universe knowledges the man's existence, but it seems not to care about how insignificant it is.