The poem "Away" by Paul Laurence Dunbar has a simple yet effective structure. It consists of four stanzas, each with a consistent rhyme scheme that enhances its lyrical quality. The repetition of the phrase "Away, away" at the beginning of the stanzas emphasizes the speaker's longing for escape and reinforces the poem's theme of desire for freedom and relief from pain.
In simple terms, the structure can be summarized as follows:
- Stanzas and Lines: The poem has four stanzas, each containing four lines (quatrains).
- Rhyme Scheme: Each stanza maintains a rhyme scheme, creating a musical quality to the reading.
- Repetition: The repeated phrase "Away, away" serves as a refrain, highlighting the speaker's yearning to leave and conveying the emotional weight of the desire for escape.
- Themes: The structure supports themes of longing, pain, and the hope for peace, as the speaker expresses a desire to leave behind their troubles and find solace in nature.
Overall, the poem's structure effectively conveys the speaker's feelings and enhances the emotional impact of their longing for freedom.