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Read the lines from “John Henry.”

I'm throwin' nine pounds from my hips on down,
Just listen to the cold steel ring,
Lawd, Lawd, just listen to the cold steel ring."

How does the repetition in these lines increase the impact of the poem?

Select all that apply.

John Henry

Responses

It adds a sense of rhythm that matches John Henry’s swinging hammer.
It adds a sense of rhythm that matches John Henry’s swinging hammer.

It matches the structure of the lines in the other stanzas in the poem.
It matches the structure of the lines in the other stanzas in the poem.

It suggests John Henry’s frustrated emotions as he works with his hammer.
It suggests John Henry’s frustrated emotions as he works with his hammer.

It calls attention to the author's use of alliteration.

1 answer

The repetition in the lines from "John Henry" increases the impact of the poem in the following ways:

  1. It adds a sense of rhythm that matches John Henry’s swinging hammer. - The repeated phrases contribute to a musical quality and create a rhythm that mirrors the physical labor and effort of John Henry as he swings his hammer.

  2. It matches the structure of the lines in the other stanzas in the poem. - Repetition can create a cohesive structure throughout the poem, enhancing its overall flow and reinforcing the themes.

Therefore, the correct responses are:

  • It adds a sense of rhythm that matches John Henry’s swinging hammer.
  • It matches the structure of the lines in the other stanzas in the poem.