In her 1921 poem Spring, Edna St. Vincent Millay subverts conventional depictions of springtime. Instead of celebrating growth and renewal, Millay disputes the merit of the season entirely: ______ Which quotation from Spring most effectively illustrates the claim?
a) The flowers bloom, but bring no joy.
b) The birds sing, yet sadness prevails.
c) The trees blossom, masking decay.
d) The sun shines, yet darkness reigns.