Hope is the thing with feathers

Question

by Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tune without the words -

And never stops - at all -



And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -

And sore must be the storm -

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm -



I’ve heard it in the chillest land -

And on the strangest Sea -

Yet - never - in Extremity,

It asked a crumb - of me.

"Hope is the Thing with Feathers" by Emily Dickinson

Question
Use the poem to answer the question.

Repetition is a poetic element. What effect does the repetition of the word and have on the poem?

(1 point)
Responses

The repetition of the word and reinforces the idea that the speaker doesn’t know what they want and blames the bird for being a distraction.
The repetition of the word and reinforces the idea that the speaker doesn’t know what they want and blames the bird for being a distraction.

The repetition of and creates a sense of boredom and drudgery. This reinforces the idea that the speaker is weary of the bird’s continual singing.
The repetition of and creates a sense of boredom and drudgery. This reinforces the idea that the speaker is weary of the bird’s continual singing.

The word and repeats because the poet wanted to use run-on sentences to reinforce the idea that the speaker feels out of control.
The word and repeats because the poet wanted to use run-on sentences to reinforce the idea that the speaker feels out of control.

The repetition of and creates a sense of piling up and adding on. This reinforces the idea that the bird sings and brings hope to everyone no matter what.

Answer 1

The repetition of "and" creates a sense of piling up and adding on. This reinforces the idea that the bird sings and brings hope to everyone no matter what.