High School

Comparing Poetry and Art Quiz

Which lines from the poem "Sonnet in Primary Colors" by Rita Dove provide an example of alliteration?

A. "among parrots, in the stern petticoats of the peasant, / who painted herself a present-"

B. "wildflowers entwining the plaster corset / her spine resides in, that flaming pillar-"

C. "Lenin and Marx and Stalin arrayed at the footstead. / And rose to her easel, the hundred dogs panting"

D. "Diego's / love a skull in the circular window / of the thumbprint searing her immutable brow."

Answer :

Final answer:

The line from Rita Dove's "Sonnet in Primary Colors" that exemplifies alliteration is "Diego's / love a skull in the circular window / of the thumbprint searing her immutable brow," due to the repeated 's' sounds. Alliteration enhances the poem's rhythmic quality and emphasizes its themes. Other provided lines do not display alliteration as prominently.


Explanation:

Identifying Alliteration in "Sonnet in Primary Colors" by Rita Dove

Alliteration is a literary device where the initial consonant sounds of words are repeated in close succession. In the lines from the poem "Sonnet in Primary Colors," it is essential to look for repeated sounds that create a rhythmic effect.

Among the lines you provided, the line that exemplifies alliteration is:

  1. "Diego's / love a skull in the circular window / of the thumbprint searing her immutable brow."

This line features the repetition of the 's' sound in "skull," "circular," "searing," and "immutable." Such repetition emphasizes the somber themes and enhances the sound quality of the poem.

On the other hand, while the other lines may have interesting sounds, they do not demonstrate alliteration as effectively. For example, in:

  1. "Lenin and Marx and Stalin arrayed at the footstead. / And rose to her easel, the hundred dogs panting"

there is no significant repetition of initial consonant sounds that would categorize it as alliteration.


Learn more about Alliteration here:

https://brainly.com/question/7666192