In the following lines of poetry, which one is an example of the poetic technique "metonymy", where something is referred to by the name of something closely associated with it?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your knowledge of a specific poetic device: metonymy. Metonymy occurs when a poet or writer refers to something not by its own name but by the name of something closely associated with it. It is similar to, and sometimes overlaps with, synecdoche, where a part stands for the whole. You must read the four given lines and select the one that best illustrates this technique.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The four options are single poetic lines, each with a different image.
• Metonymy involves using a closely related term to represent a larger concept, person, or thing.
• The lines include phrases like "old bones" and "shadow" that could be figurative.
• We assume basic familiarity with common poetic figures such as simile, metaphor, and metonymy.

Concept / Approach:
In metonymy and synecdoche, a part or associated feature is used in place of the whole person or thing. In the line "These old bones live to learn her wanton ways", the phrase "old bones" stands in for the whole person, typically an aging speaker whose body is old. The bones are part of the body and thus closely associated with the speaker. This part is used to represent the whole, which is a classic example of this kind of figurative language. The other options illustrate different devices: abstract metaphor, simple statement about transformation, or simile, but not clear metonymy.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Examine option a: "I am martyr to a motion not my own." This line uses metaphor, presenting the speaker as a martyr to something, but it does not replace one noun with a closely associated one.Step 2: Examine option b: "These old bones live to learn her wanton ways." "Old bones" is a part of the body used to represent the entire aging person.Step 3: Recognize that using "bones" to refer to the person is an example of using a part or closely associated element to stand for the whole.Step 4: Examine option c: "Let seed be grass, and grass turn into hay." This line describes stages of growth and transformation, not a name substitution.Step 5: Examine option d: "I swear she cast a shadow white as stone." This line contains a simile, comparing the shadow to stone, rather than substituting one associated term for another.Step 6: Conclude that option b is the best example of metonymy or closely related synecdoche.

Verification / Alternative check:
In many poems and songs, we see body parts like "heart", "hands", or "bones" standing in for the entire person. For example, "All hands on deck" uses "hands" to mean sailors, and "gray hairs" can refer to older people. These are often treated as metonymy or synecdoche. Similarly, "old bones" is a vivid way to talk about an old person, using a part of the body as a substitute for the whole speaker. When you check literary guides, you will find that this is a standard example of the technique, especially in the broader sense where synecdoche is seen as a type of metonymy. The other lines do not show this form of substitution.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a uses metaphor and a more abstract image but does not swap a person or object for something associated with it. Option c describes a logical chain where seed becomes grass and grass becomes hay; it is literal rather than metonymic. Option d uses simile, clearly marked by the word "as", comparing the whiteness of a shadow with stone. None of these lines uses a closely associated name to stand in for something else in the way that "old bones" refers to the whole aging speaker, so they are not examples of metonymy here.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse metonymy with any vivid image or with metaphor in general. They may also focus on the most dramatic or emotional line rather than on the precise definition of the device. Another common confusion is between metonymy and simile, especially when unusual images are involved. To avoid these errors, remember that metonymy specifically involves replacing the name of something with another term that is closely connected to it in reality, such as part for whole, container for contents, or place for institution. Checking for this kind of substitution quickly reveals that "These old bones live to learn her wanton ways" is the best example among the options.

Final Answer:
The line that best illustrates metonymy is These old bones live to learn her wanton ways.