Momentum

Question

By Catherine Doty

How does the structure of the poem's stanzas contribute to the text's meaning?

• The stanza break divides the poem between what the subject first thinks about their friends and what her or she will think of them later.

• The stanza break divides the poem between what happens before and after the barrel is kicked down the mountain.

Answer 1

• The short stanzas create a sense of quick movement and urgency, mirroring the momentum mentioned in the title.

• The use of enjambment between stanzas creates a sense of continuous motion and energy, reflecting the unstoppable force of the barrel rolling down the mountain.

• The final stanza stands alone, emphasizing the final realization of the consequences of the subject's actions and the impact on their relationships with their friends. This separation adds weight to the closing lines and underscores the sense of reflection and regret.