Question

Read the excerpt from "The Debt” by Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Pay it I will to the end —
Until the grave, my friend,
Gives me a true release —
Gives me the clasp of peace.

Which part of poetic form best illustrates the theme that death will bring relief from the debt?

meter
repetition
stanza type
punctuation

Answer 1

In the excerpt from "The Debt" by Paul Laurence Dunbar, the part of poetic form that best illustrates the theme that death will bring relief from the debt is the stanza type. The stanza type in this case is a quatrain, consisting of four lines. The repetition of the rhyme scheme and the consistent structure of each stanza contribute to the overall theme and provide a sense of closure and resolution

Answer 2

Stanza Type

Step-by-step explanation:

In the given excerpt from "The Debt" by Paul Laurence Dunbar, the aspect of poetic form that best illustrates the theme that death will bring relief from the debt is stanza type.

Stanza type refers to the structure and organization of the poem's lines and their grouping into stanzas. In this case, the lines are organized into four-line stanzas. The repetition of this stanza type throughout the poem creates a sense of regularity and reinforces the theme.

The repetition of the four-line stanzas emphasizes the consistent and unrelenting nature of the speaker's commitment to paying the debt "to the end." However, the repeated structure also suggests a certain longing for release and peace, which is expressed through the final lines of each stanza, such as "Gives me the clasp of peace." This repetition and consistent structure of the stanzas contribute to the overall thematic message that death will ultimately bring relief from the burden of the debt.

Hope this helps!