The poet uses the phrases "sinful earth," "outward walls," and "fading mansion" to signify the speaker’s physical body. What message does the use of such figurative language bring out?

A. The diseases of the physical body reflect the suffering of the soul.
B. The sins committed by the speaker have condemned him.
C. The speaker’s death is a result of his soul’s sinful nature.
D. The physical body is beautified at the cost of the soul’s neglect.

Question

The poet uses the phrases "sinful earth," "outward walls," and "fading mansion" to signify the speaker’s physical body. What message does the use of such figurative language bring out? 

A. The diseases of the physical body reflect the suffering of the soul. 
B. The sins committed by the speaker have condemned him. 
C. The speaker’s death is a result of his soul’s sinful nature. 
D. The physical body is beautified at the cost of the soul’s neglect.

anonymous · Answer

Poor soul, the centre of my sinful earth, 
[......] these rebel powers that thee array, 
Why dost thou pine within and suffer dearth, 
Painting thy outward walls so costly gay? 
Why so large cost, having so short a lease, 
Dost thou upon thy fading mansion spend?