How we cite our quotes: (line)
Quote #4
they grip down and begin to awaken (line 27)
This last line gives us another metaphor for transformation. We know that the plants aren’t really waking up like humans do. Williams borrows the image to drive home the idea of this change. When we move from being asleep to being awake, we are transformed. This is just like when he talks about the plants coming into the world naked. In that case, by subtly comparing new plants to human babies, Williams gives us another way to think about this really important change.