Read the following lines from Marge Piercy’s “To Be of Use”:
The people I love the best
jump into work head first
without dallying in the shallows
and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.
They seem to become natives of that element,
the black sleek heads of seals
bouncing like half-submerged balls.
Which language best contributes to the enthusiastic tone of the poem?
“jump into work head first”
“without dallying in the shallows”
“the black sleek heads of seals”
“bouncing like half-submerged balls.”
1 answer
The language that best contributes to the enthusiastic tone of the poem is “jump into work head first” and “bouncing like half-submerged balls.” These phrases convey a sense of eagerness, energy, and joy in the act of working hard and fully immersing oneself in the task at hand.