Question

The Skater of Ghost Lake
by William Rose Benet

Ghost Lake’s a dark lake, a deep lake and cold:
Ice black as ebony, frostily scrolled;
Far in its shadows a faint sound whirs;
Steep stand the sentineled deep, dark firs.
A brisk sound, a swift sound, a ring-tinkle-ring;
Flit-flit,--a shadow with a stoop and a swing,
Flies from the shadow through the crackling cold.
Ghost Lake’s a deep lake, a dark lake and old!
Leaning and leaning with a stride and a stride,
hands locked behind him, scarf blowing wide,
Jeremy Randall skates, skates late,
Star for a candle, moon for a mate.
Black is the clear glass now that he glides,
Crisp is the whisper of long lean strides,
Swift is his swaying - but pricked ears hark.
None comes to Ghost Lake late after dark!
Cecily only--yes it is she!
Stealing to Ghost Lake, tree after tree,
Kneeling in snow by the still lake side,
Rising with feet winged, gleaming, to glide.
Dust of the ice swirls. Here is his hand.
Brilliant his eyes burn. Now, as was planned,
Arm across arm twined, laced to his side,
Out on the dark lake lightly they glide.


"The Skater of Ghost Lake", by William Rose Benét

Question
Use lines 1 to 24 to answer the question

In 1–2 sentences, analyze the effects of the figurative language used in lines 1 through 24.

Answer 1

In lines 1–24 the poet uses vivid sensory imagery and figurative language—simile ("ice black as ebony"), personification ("sentineled...firs"), onomatopoeia and alliteration ("ring‑tinkle‑ring," "flit‑flit") and metaphor ("star for a candle, moon for a mate")—to create a musical, eerie atmosphere that emphasizes the lake’s cold, ancient mystery while also conveying swift, romantic motion and tension as the skaters glide.