Question

Read the following exchange between two poets and answer the question below.

Poet 1:
I do my thing and you do your thing.
I am not in this world to live up to your expectations...
and you are not in this world to live up to mine.
You are you...
and I am I.
And if, by chance, we find each other...
it's beautiful.
If not, it can't be helped.

Poet 2:
If I just do my thing and you do yours.
We stand in danger of losing each other
And ourselves.
I am not in this world to live up to your expectations;
But I am in this world to confirm you
as a unique human being.
And to be confirmed by you.
We are fully ourselves only in relation to each other;
The I detached from Thou
Disintegrates.
I do not find you by chance;
I find you by an active life
of reaching out.
Rather than passively letting things happen to me,
I can act intentionally to make them happen.
I must begin within myself, true;
But I must not end with myself:
The truth begins with two.

What could the second poem be best characterized as, with respect to the first?

• A. retort
• B. rejoinder
• C. critique
• D. complement

Hint:

Check whether Poem 2 attacks Poem 1's idea or simply adds the missing piece to it.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Poem 1 argues that each person should simply "do their own thing," and treats meeting another person as a happy accident, not a necessity. Poem 2 answers this by saying we only become fully ourselves through relationship with others, and connection should be actively pursued, not left to chance. We are asked how Poem 2 relates to Poem 1.

1. retort: A retort is a quick, sharp, often irritated reply. Poet 2's tone is thoughtful and building, not sharp or defensive, so this does not fit.
2. rejoinder: A rejoinder is a reply made in an argument or dispute, usually to counter what was said. Poet 2 does not argue against Poet 1's core claim about individuality, in fact Poet 2 repeats one of Poet 1's own lines almost exactly, so this is not a good fit.
3. critique: A critique is a detailed evaluation that points out flaws or problems. Poet 2 never says Poet 1 is wrong or flawed; instead, Poet 2 adds a missing dimension (relationship) to what Poet 1 already said about individuality.
4. complement: A complement is something that completes or adds the missing part to something else. Poet 2 keeps Poet 1's idea of being true to yourself but adds that this self is only fully realized through relationship with others ("the I detached from Thou disintegrates"). Together, the two poems form one complete idea: be yourself, and also actively connect with others. This matches exactly.

Poem 2 does not contradict or attack Poem 1, it takes Poem 1's idea and supplies the part it is missing, so together they form a fuller whole.

Let's summarize:

• Poet 2 repeats and accepts part of Poet 1's claim rather than opposing it.
• Poet 2 adds the missing idea of active, necessary connection, completing rather than criticizing Poet 1's view.

So the correct answer is option 4, complement.