He following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B. Part A
What theme does the author explore in this poem?

A. the value of independence
B. the cruelty of fate
C. the importance of wealth
D. the uses of cleverness
Part B
Click on the highlighted excerpt from the text that best supports the answer to Part A.
Under a spreading chestnut tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands;
5 And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.

His hair is crisp, and black, and long,
His face is like the tan;
His brow is wet with honest sweat,
10 He earns whate'er he can,
And looks the whole world in the face,
For he owes not any man.

Week in, week out, from morn till night,
You can hear his bellows blow;
15 You can hear him swing his heavy sledge
With measured beat and slow,
Like a sexton ringing the village bell,
When the evening sun is low.