In the first stanza of Emily Dickinson's poem "It sifts from Leaden Sieves," the effect of the words with w and o sounds (powders, wood, wool, road) is that it reminds the reader of the word snow. The choice of these words contributes to the imagery and sound of the poem, evoking the gentle, soft qualities associated with snow as it covers the landscape.
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It sifts from Leaden Sieves
by Emily Dickinson
It sifts from leaden sieves,
It powders all the wood,
It fills with alabaster wool
The wrinkles of the road.
It makes an even face
Of mountain and of plain, --
Unbroken forehead from the east
Unto the east again.
It reaches to the fence,
It wraps it, rail by rail,
Till it is lost in fleeces;
It flings a crystal veil
On stump and stack and stem, --
The summer's empty room,
Acres of seams where harvests were,
Recordless, but for them.
It ruffles wrists of posts,
As ankles of a queen, --
Then stills its artisans like ghosts,
Denying they have been.
"It Sifts from Leaden Sieves" by Emily Dickinson
Question
Use the poem “It sifts from Leaden Sieves” below to answer the question.
In the first stanza, what is the effect of the words with w and o sounds (powders, Wood, Wool, Road)?
(1 point)
Responses
It humorously evokes the nasal sound of someone who has a winter head cold.
It humorously evokes the nasal sound of someone who has a winter head cold.
It suggests a soft, slow sighing, as of the winter wind.
It suggests a soft, slow sighing, as of the winter wind.
It reminds the reader of the word snow.
It reminds the reader of the word snow .
It creates a sound of deep mourning and wailing.
It creates a sound of deep mourning and wailing.
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