Longing

By Paul Laurence Dunbar



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.

1 answer

In Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem "Longing," the structure reflects a deep sense of yearning and emotional complexity. The use of stanzas that alternate between shorter and longer lines creates a rhythmic tension, mirroring the speaker's internal struggle between desire and reality. This varied structure reinforces the poem's themes of longing and unattainable aspirations, suggesting that the speaker's emotions are both expansive and constrained. Therefore, one can conclude that the poem's form effectively underscores the intensity of longing, encapsulating the bittersweet nature of human desire and the pain of unfulfilled dreams.