Question

Read the excerpt from "A Boat beneath a Sunny Sky” by Lewis Carroll.

Ever drifting down the stream —
Lingering in the golden gleam —
Life, what is it but a dream?

How does the use of graphical elements affect the tone of these lines?

The use of short lines increases the pace, creating an impatient tone.
The dashes indicate a pause, creating a reflective tone.
The capital letters emphasize specific words, creating an impatient tone.
The use of repeating letters is rhythmic, creating a playful tone.

Answer 1

The dashes indicate a pause, creating a reflective tone.

Explanation: The end-of-line dashes act like caesuras, slowing the reader and encouraging lingering and reflection. The short lines here do not create impatience but, combined with the dashes and the soft sounds/rhyme, reinforce a dreamy, contemplative mood. The other options (capital letters, repeating letters) don’t apply.