Question

He took the Elephant—All-the-Elephant-there-was—and said, “Play at being an Elephant,” and All-the-Elephant-there-was played. He took the Beaver—All-the-Beaver-there-was—and said, “Play at being a Beaver,” and All-the Beaver-there-was played. He took the Cow—All-the Cow-there-was—and said, “Play at being a Cow,” and All-the-Cow-there-was played.

–“The Crab That Played with the Sea,”

Rudyard Kipling

How does the use of repetition affect the narrator’s tone in this passage?

It creates a dark and mysterious tone.
It creates a playful and caring tone.
It creates a serious and academic tone.
It creates a sarcastic and humorous tone.

Answer 1

It creates a playful and caring tone.

The repeated phrasing and gentle rhythm make the scene feel like a game or a child's play, emphasizing tenderness and affection as the speaker lovingly directs each animal to "play."