What is the meaning of the simile “a bright girdle” in this excerpt from “dover beach” by matthew arnold? the sea of faith was once, too, at the full, and round earth's shore lay like the folds of a bright girdle furled. but now i only hear its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar, retreating, to the breath answers: a.) it suggests the greatness of an era when england was a world power and commercial success. b.) it critiques the society of the poet's time for conforming too strictly to convention. c.) it refers to the feeling of support and belonging that people once felt in happier times. d.) it highlights the contrast between the vast seascape and the narrow world of the poet.

Who is the speaker? read the quotations and answer the questions for each quote. quotation analysis "those who labor in the earth are the chosen people of " what is the main idea of the quotation? who do you think is the speaker? what evidence from the background reading leads you to the conclusion about the speaker? 2. "all communities divide themselves into the few and the many. the first are rich and well born, the other the mass of the people…" what is the main idea of the quotation? they divided the people in between rich and poor who do you think is the speaker? hamilton what evidence from the background reading leads you to the conclusion about the speaker? federalists believed that the country should be ruled by the by the best people 3. "laws are made for men of ordinary understanding and should, therefore, be construed by the ordinary rules of common sense." what is the main idea of the quotation? who do you think is the speaker? what evidence from the background reading leads you to the conclusion about the speaker? 4. "a fondness for power is implanted in most men, and it is natural to abuse it when acquired." what is the main idea of the quotation? who do you think is the speaker? what evidence from the background reading leads you to the conclusion about the speaker?