High School

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"

Answer :

Final answer:

In "Sonnet in Primary Colors," Rita Dove uses alliteration, which is the repetition of initial consonant sounds, effectively in phrases like "wildflowers entwining the plaster corset" and "the hundred dogs panting." These examples help create a melodic and vivid quality in the poem. Understanding these devices enriches the reading experience by emphasizing key actions and imagery.


Explanation:

Identifying Alliteration in Rita Dove's "Sonnet in Primary Colors"

Alliteration is a literary device that involves the repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in a sequence of words. In the poem "Sonnet in Primary Colors" by Rita Dove, we can observe several examples of alliteration.

Examples from the Poem

Consider the following lines:

  • "wildflowers entwining the plaster corset" - Here, the repetition of the 'w' sound in "wildflowers" and the 'p' sound in "plaster" create a musical quality.
  • "patting her spine" - The 'p' sound is again repeated here, emphasizing the action being described.
  • "the hundred dogs panting" - The initial 'd' sound in "dogs" and "panting" illustrates alliteration as well.

By identifying these phrases, students can see how alliteration enhances the imagery and rhythm of the poem.


Learn more about Alliteration in Poetry here:

https://brainly.com/question/30131504