“The Spanish Dancer” by Rainer Maria Rilke
As a lit match first flickers in the hands
Before it flames, and darts out from all sides
Bright, twitching tongues, so, ringed by growing bands
Of spectators—she, quivering, glowing stands
Poised tensely for the dance—then forward glides
And suddenly becomes a flaming torch.
Her bright hair flames, her burning glances scorch,
And with a daring art at her command
Her whole robe blazes like a fire-brand
From which is stretched each naked arm, awake,
Gleaming and rattling like a frightened snake.
And then, as though the fire fainter grows,
She gathers up the flame—again it glows,
As with proud gesture and imperious air
She flings it to the earth; and it lies there
Furiously flickering and crackling still—
Then haughtily victorious, but with sweet
Swift smile of greeting, she puts forth her will
And stamps the flames out with her small firm feet.
Use the poem to answer the question.
Which of the following statements best evaluates the poet’s use of sound devices in lines 15–16 (“She flings…crackling still”)?
A.
Onomatopoeia provides a sensory element that allows the reader to be fully present in the situation.
B.
Assonance provides softness that subdues the harsh image of fire and adds sensuality to the passionate tone.
C.
Cacophony of words and images serve to juxtapose the power of the dancer and the submissiveness of the audience.
D.
Alliterative elements and connotation create a powerful tone and develop the overall theme of confidence and power.
E.
Consonance combines with assonance to juxtapose the soft beauty of the woman with the harsh brightness of the flame.
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E. Consonance combines with assonance to juxtapose the soft beauty of the woman with the harsh brightness of the flame.
The poet's use of sound devices such as consonance and assonance creates a contrast between the soft, flowing sounds and the harsh, crackling sounds. This juxtaposition mirrors the contrast between the soft beauty of the woman and the intense brightness of the flame.
The best statement that evaluates the poet's use of sound devices in lines 15-16 ("She flings... crackling still") is:
D. Alliterative elements and connotation create a powerful tone and develop the overall theme of confidence and power.
In these lines, the repetition of the "fl" sound in "flings" and "flickering" creates alliteration, which adds a rhythmic quality to the lines and emphasizes the action of the dancer. Additionally, the words "flings" and "crackling" have connotations of force and energy, further enhancing the powerful tone of the poem. These sound devices contribute to the overall theme of the dancer's confidence and power.
To evaluate the poet's use of sound devices in lines 15-16 of the poem, let's take a closer look at the lines:
"She flings it to the earth; and it lies there
Furiously flickering and crackling still"
In these lines, the poet describes the moment when the dancer throws the flame to the ground. Let's evaluate the options:
A. Onomatopoeia provides a sensory element that allows the reader to be fully present in the situation.
In these lines, there is a sense of sound created through the word choice "flickering" and "crackling." The poet is trying to evoke the sound of a flame burning and crackling. So, this option could be a possible evaluation.
B. Assonance provides softness that subdues the harsh image of fire and adds sensuality to the passionate tone.
Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in closely related words. In these lines, there is no significant repetition of vowel sounds that would suggest softness or sensuality. So, this option is not a suitable evaluation.
C. Cacophony of words and images serve to juxtapose the power of the dancer and the submissiveness of the audience.
Cacophony refers to a discordant and harsh sound created by the combination of words. In these lines, there is no intentional discord or juxtaposition of words that would suggest the power of the dancer and the submissiveness of the audience. So, this option is not a suitable evaluation.
D. Alliterative elements and connotation create a powerful tone and develop the overall theme of confidence and power.
Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of closely related words. In these lines, there is no significant repetition of consonant sounds. So, this option is not a suitable evaluation.
E. Consonance combines with assonance to juxtapose the soft beauty of the woman with the harsh brightness of the flame.
Similar to option B, there is no significant use of consonance or assonance in these lines that would create a juxtaposition between the soft beauty of the woman and the harsh brightness of the flame. So, this option is not a suitable evaluation.
Based on the analysis, the most appropriate evaluation of the poet's use of sound devices in lines 15-16 would be:
A. Onomatopoeia provides a sensory element that allows the reader to be fully present in the situation.