HURRYY You read Carl Sandburg’s poem “A Fence” earlier in this module. Reread it below, paying close attention to the poet’s word choices.

A Fence by Carl Sandburg

Now the stone house on the lake front is finished and the workmen are beginning the fence.

The palings are made of iron bars with steel points that can stab the life out of any man who falls on them.

As a fence, it is a masterpiece, and will shut off the rabble and all vagabonds and hungry men and all wandering children looking for a place to play.

Passing through the bars and over the steel points will go nothing except Death and the Rain and To-morrow.

Which phrase relies most on nuances of meaning to convey the author's negative tone toward the fence?

can stab the life
beginning the fence
a place to play