How does the time in which the poem was composed affect the speaker's perception of the world? Responses The speaker's inability to accept that another year has gone by is reflected in his gloomy outlook on the world. The speaker's inability to accept that another year has gone by is reflected in his gloomy outlook on the world. The speaker's dislike for the holiday season inspires a cold and dark depiction of the landscape. The speaker's dislike for the holiday season inspires a cold and dark depiction of the landscape. The speaker's enthusiasm for the new century inspires him to write about something beautiful that he witnessed. The speaker's enthusiasm for the new century inspires him to write about something beautiful that he witnessed. The speaker's feelings about the end of the century are reflected in his representation of the dying winter landscape. The speaker's feelings about the end of the century are reflected in his representation of the dying winter landscape.