Why is the title of the poem ironic?
a) there is very little singing in the poem.
b) the poem takes on a dream-like quality suggested by the title and enhanced by the imagery.
c) the title implies that the sea is gentle and soothing, but it is depicted as ruthless and cruel.
d) the poet uses figurative devices, such as similes and personification, to create sensory images.
sea lullaby
elinor wylie
the old moon is tarnished
with smoke of the flood,
the dead leaves are varnished
with color like blood,
a treacherous smiler 5
with teeth white as milk,
a savage beguiler
in sheathings of silk,
the sea creeps to pillage,
she leaps on her prey; 10
a child of the village
was murdered to-day.
she came up to meet him
in a smooth golden cloak,
she choked him and beat him 15
to death, for a joke.
her bright locks were tangled,
she shouted for joy,
with one hand she strangled
a strong little boy. 20
now in silence she lingers
beside him all night
to wash her long fingers
in silvery light.

The correct answer is C. The title implies that the sea is gentle and soothing, but it is depicted as ruthless and cruel

Explanation:

Irony relies on the incongruence between the language used and the real meaning of it or between the expectations related to some situation and the way the situation really is or results. In the case of the poem "Sea Lullaby" by Elinor Wylie, the title suggest the sea is similar to a lullaby which means the sea is some entity that helps children to be calmed and sleep. However, in the different stanzas of the poem the poet describes the way the sea kills the children using verses such as "The dead leaves are varnished ... With color like blood", "A child of the village was murdered to-day" or "With one hand she strangled a strong little boy" that show the sea is not a lullaby that is gentle and soothing to help kids sleep but it is cruel and ruthless and kills kids which is an incongruence between what is expected from the title and what really is the poem which is part of the irony. Thus, the tile of the poem is ironic because it "implies that the sea is gentle and soothing, but it is depicted as ruthless and cruel".

answer: do

the 'italicized phrase' is a noun clause that is used as a direct object.