Question

Longing



By Paul Laurence Dunbar



“AWAY.”



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.

Answer 1

In Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem "AWAY," the structure reveals a sense of yearning and escape through its repetitive phrasing and varied line lengths. The use of the word "away" serves as both a refrain and a pivotal emotional anchor, emphasizing the speaker's deep desire to break free from their current circumstances. The shifts in rhythm and the pauses created by the line breaks enhance the feeling of restlessness, suggesting that the longing for escape is both urgent and deeply felt. Therefore, the structure of the poem effectively conveys a profound sense of longing that resonates throughout, illustrating the complexities of desire and the human condition.