By a "closed system" of poetry (lines 34–35), the author most probably means poetry that

Andrew on February 26, 2021

Why not E?

I understand why D is correct, but can you explain why E is wrong?

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Victoria on April 17, 2021

Hi @Andrew,

Happy to help!

Answer choice (E) is incorrect because it is too strong. We know from lines 39 to 45 that the conventions of eighteenth-century poetry imposed "rules of poetic diction and characterization" and that these conventions ruled out casual talk, but this does not necessarily mean that these conventions leave little room for further development.

The conventions may have limited Wheatley's ability to communicate the particulars of her African past, but answer choice (E) does not specify this in talking about development. Rather, answer choice (E) is a generalization which suggests that the conventions of eighteenth-century poetry are limiting as they leave little room for further development. There is not enough information provided in the passage to support this; therefore, answer choice (E) is incorrect.

Hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any further questions.