A sense of ocean and old trees Envelops and allures him; Tradition, touching all he sees, Beguiles and reassures him; 20 And all her doubts of what he says Are dimmed of what she knows of days -- Till even prejudice delays And fades, and she secures him.

- "the answers are a and b.  

when cullen speaks of planting while others reap, and standing "abject and mute," he is speaking about the racial injustices present in american society. as these injustices have changed over time, the american identity  has also shifted. those changes are, in turn, reflected in american literature."

the correct answers are:

c. “never in the history of his people had a man married a woman who spoke a different tongue.”

d. “‘it has never been heard,’ was the verdict of an old man speaking a few weeks later.”

e. “this man had come with others to commiserate with okeke.”

i believe it is the first option, having taken lessons