Close Read: Analyze Craft and Structure

Question

Identify the choice that best answers the question.

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.

Part A
In “Hanging Fire,” the lines “and momma’s in the bedroom / with the door closed” are repeated. How does the repetition serve the purpose of a lyric poem?

A. It furthers the plot of the poem.
B. It hides the poet's powerful feelings.
C. It creates a vivid and constant impression.
D. I have to learn how to dance / in time for the next party
Part B
What does this repetition reveal about the poem’s speaker?

A. It reveals her true talent.
B. It emphasizes her loneliness.
C. It shows how young she really is.
D. It emphasizes the mother as a strong character.

Answer 1

Part A: The best answer is C. It creates a vivid and constant impression. The repetition of the lines about "momma" being in the bedroom with the door closed reinforces the emotional landscape of the poem, creating a sense of ongoing presence and impact.

Part B: The best answer is B. It emphasizes her loneliness. The repetition of the lines highlights the speaker's feeling of isolation and the lack of maternal support or presence, thereby deepening the sense of loneliness that characterizes her experience.