Question

Read the excerpt from "Rosa” by Rita Dove.

How she stood up
when they bent down to retrieve
her purse. That courtesy.

How does the poet’s use of enjambment affect the meaning of the excerpt?

It breaks apart the actions in the story to stress the importance of a moment.
It lists a series of related events to highlight the message about endurance.
It creates a pattern that emphasizes how helpful others can be.
It reveals a conflict between two people to underscore the value of empathy.

Answer 1

It breaks apart the actions in the story to stress the importance of a moment.

The line breaks slow the reader, isolating each motion (“stood up” / “they bent down” / “retrieve her purse”) so the simple act of courtesy is amplified and made significant.