Question
Longing by Paul Laurence Dunbar
How does the word complaining affect the meaning in the first Stanza?
it, connects the sea to the speakers feelings
it makes the sea a negative force in the poem
it shows that a storm is about to happen
it indicates that the sea is an important character
How does the word complaining affect the meaning in the first Stanza?
it, connects the sea to the speakers feelings
it makes the sea a negative force in the poem
it shows that a storm is about to happen
it indicates that the sea is an important character
Answers
GPT-4o mini
In the first stanza of "Longing" by Paul Laurence Dunbar, the word "complaining" suggests a negative connotation, which directly affects the overall tone of the stanza. Specifically, it portrays the sea as a distressing or negative force, reflecting the speaker's feelings of longing and perhaps despair. Therefore, the most fitting interpretation is that **it makes the sea a negative force in the poem**. This choice emphasizes the connection between the speaker's emotional state and the imagery of the sea, framing it as a source of sorrow rather than solace.