The structure of Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem "Longing" reinforces the speaker's deep desire for escape and highlights the emotional weight of their situation. The repetition of "Away, away" creates a rhythmic urgency that emphasizes the speaker’s yearning to leave their current circumstances. Additionally, the consistent use of conditional phrases, such as "if I could" and "if only," suggests that the speaker feels trapped and longs for a sense of freedom that seems unattainable. This structured longing, coupled with the imagery of nature, contrasts with the reality of the speaker's pain, suggesting that their desire to escape is both profound and poignant, marked by an underlying sense of helplessness.
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.
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.
(4 points)
1 answer
1 answer