The structure of "Longing" by Paul Laurence Dunbar, characterized by the repetition of the phrase "Away, away," emphasizes the speaker's deep yearning for escape and peace. This refrain creates a rhythmic urgency and reflects an emotional intensity as the speaker expresses a desire to flee from their current situation. The alternation between the speaker's longing and the acknowledgment of another's wish for their departure suggests a complex relationship, where both parties may be burdened by the speaker's presence. Overall, the poem's repeated lines and couplet form highlight the tension between desire for freedom and the reality of connection, underscoring the speaker's internal conflict.
Longing
by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Away
Away, away I would go if I could,
Perhaps to an overgrown sun-dapple wood;
Away, away I would fly in a flash,
If I thought peace awaited under a towering ash.
Away, away you would wish me go too,
If only the pain of my staying still was known to you;
Away, away you would bid me farewell,
And on my wellbeing, you’d never again dwell.
"Longing" by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Question
Use the poem to answer the question.
In 3–5 sentences, use effective reasoning to explain a conclusion you can draw from the structure of “Away.” Base your conclusion in part on the structure of the poem
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