Read the lines from “Mr. Flood’s Party.”

There was not much that was ahead of him,
And there was nothing in the town below—
Where strangers would have shut the many doors
That many friends had opened long ago.

How does the word choice in these lines affect the meaning of the poem?

1. It suggests that Flood’s friends don’t want to have anything to do with him.

2. It conveys the idea that the people in Flood’s town are not very friendly.

3. It emphasizes that Flood is an older man who feels isolated and lonely.

4. It suggests that Flood lives in a new town and doesn’t know anyone.