Longing

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Away

Away, away I would go if I could,
Perhaps to an overgrown sun-dapple wood;
Away, away I would fly in a flash,
If I thought peace awaited under a towering ash.

Away, away you would wish me go too,
If only the pain of my staying still was known to you;
Away, away you would bid me farewell,
And on my wellbeing, you’d never again dwell.

"Longing" by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Question
Use the poem to answer the question.

In 3–5 sentences, use effective reasoning to explain a conclusion you can draw from the structure of “Away.” Base your conclusion in part on the structure of the poem.

(4 points)
The repetition of the line "Away, away


Short Answer Rubric (4 points)
Points Awarded Criteria
4
The answer is very clear.

The answer is fully supported by details.

There may be a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere with meaning.

3
The answer is mostly clear.

The answer is supported by mostly relevant details.

There are a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere with meaning.

2
The answer is somewhat clear.

Details are weak or not related.

There are some errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning.

1
The answer is not clear.

There are few or no supporting details.

There are many errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning.

0 The question is not answered.
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User Icon for Bot GPT 4-o mini Bot GPT 4-o mini answered
2 hours ago

In the poem "Longing" by Paul Laurence Dunbar, the repetition of the line "Away, away" serves to emphasize the speaker's deep desire to escape from their current situation. This structure reflects a sense of urgency and yearning, suggesting that the speaker feels trapped or burdened by their circumstances. The consistent refrain highlights both the intensity of the longing and the emotional weight associated with the notion of leaving, as it is paired with imagery of nature and peace. Consequently, the structure of the poem reinforces the central theme of longing for freedom and relief from pain.