Use the excerpt from "Birches" by Robert Frost to answer the question down below.

"When I see birches bend to left and right

Across the lines of straighter darker trees,

I like to think some boy's been swinging them.

But swinging doesn't bend them down to stay."

In 3–5 sentences, write about the author’s repetitive use of the “b” sound and its significance in the excerpt. Use details from the excerpt to support your ideas.

(4 points)

1 answer

In the excerpt from "Birches," Robert Frost's repetitive use of the "b" sound creates a musical quality that enhances the imagery and emotional resonance of the poem. Words like "birches," "bend," and "boy's" all contribute to a playful yet contemplative tone. The repeated "b" sound evokes a sense of innocence and nostalgia, reflecting the speaker's desire to return to the carefree days of childhood. Additionally, the contrast between the bending of the birches and the "straighter darker trees" emphasizes a longing for freedom and the fleeting nature of youth, reinforcing the poem's themes of nature and memory.