Question

Use the first three stanzas of the poem “Paul Revere’s Ride” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to answer the question. What is the intended effect of the metaphor of a “phantom ship” in stanza three? (1 point) Responses to show that the British ship is dangerous to show that the British ship is dangerous to show how the British ship reflects the water to show how the British ship reflects the water to indicate that the moon is not bright over the bay to indicate that the moon is not bright over the bay to suggest that the ship appeared suddenly

Answer 1

The intended effect of the metaphor of a “phantom ship” in stanza three is to suggest that the ship appeared suddenly. The term "phantom" implies something that is ghostly or unexpected, enhancing the sense of urgency and the clandestine nature of the British ship's presence as it approaches in the night. This aligns with the poem's theme of surprise and impending danger during Paul Revere's ride.