Question

How does Wheatley's break in the iambic meter in the two places marked with a star help to emphasize the feeling of sorrow she captures in her poem?

Answer 1

Wheatley's break in the iambic meter helps to emphasize the feeling of sorrow by creating a sense of disruption and disorientation. The disruption of the meter creates a sense of unease and confusion, which reflects the emotional turmoil of the speaker. The disruption also serves to draw attention to the words that follow, allowing the reader to focus on the sorrowful sentiment of the poem. By breaking the meter, Wheatley is able to emphasize the sorrowful feeling of the poem and create a more powerful emotional impact.