The Chambered Nautilus Quiz

What is the central theme of "The Chambered Nautilus"?

• The beauty of nature's creations

• The inevitability of aging and growth

• The dangers of the sea

• The art of navigation

In the line "This is the ship of pearl, which, poets feign," what does the word "feign" most closely mean?

• Pretend

• Fear

• Construct

• Decorate

The nautilus shell is used as a metaphor for what concept in the poem?

• The journey of life

• The structure of the universe

• The fragility of existence

• The process of scientific discovery

Which of the following literary devices is most prominent in the poem?

• Onomatopoeia

• Alliteration

• Personification

• Simile

What does the "ship of pearl" symbolize in the poem?

• A real ship 

• The nautilus shell

• A mythical creature

• A dream

The phrase "wrecked is the ship of pearl" signifies what event in the life cycle of the nautilus?

• Its birth

• Its growth

• Its death

• Its hibernation

How does the poet suggest the reader should respond to the message of the nautilus?

• By seeking material wealth

• By building more complex structures

• By striving for personal growth and improvement

• By exploring the unknown

What does the "venturous bark" in the second line of the poem refer to?

• A daring tree

• A type of coral

• A risky ship

• The nautilus

The line "Leave thy low-vaulted past!" encourages the reader to:

• Forget their history

• Reflect on past mistakes

• Move beyond past limitations

• Revisit and repair old relationships

The poet's use of the phrase "life's unresting sea" at the end of the poem suggests that life is:

• Dangerous and unpredictable

• Calm and serene

• Static and unchanging

• Full of opportunities for adventure