In the poem "The shark " by John Ciardi what effect does the repeating of the phrase "one dark thought" have?

Sneaky

To analyze the effect of the repeating phrase "one dark thought" in John Ciardi's poem "The shark," we need to first understand the purpose of repetition in poetry. Repetition is a poetic device that emphasizes certain words, phrases, or ideas to create rhythm, enhance the meaning, and evoke emotions.

To get a better understanding of the poem's effect and theme, let's break down the poem and look for instances of the phrase "one dark thought":

The shark goes on cutting through the dark water —
A plop in the water’s starred with his rush
A lift of its fin ahead makes a dark thought rise —
One thought and another, and on and on, on.

The first repetition of "one dark thought" sets the tone and introduces the idea of a menacing presence. It hints at a predatory nature, like an ominous thought lurking in the depths of the reader's mind.

As the poem continues, the phrase is repeated to create a cumulative effect. With each repetition, the reader becomes more aware of the relentless and threatening nature of the shark's presence. The phrase "one thought and another, and on and on, on" emphasizes an unending stream of dark thoughts, paralleling the constant movement of the shark through the water.

Through the repetition of "one dark thought," the poet highlights the primal fear associated with danger and the unknown. The echoing phrase creates suspense, amplifies the sense of dread, and reinforces the poem's theme of the mysterious and menacing nature of the shark.

In conclusion, the repeating phrase "one dark thought" in John Ciardi's poem "The shark" emphasizes the threatening and relentless presence of the shark, establishing a tone of fear and building suspense for the reader.