Question

Poe's use of many verbs ending in "ing" in the last stanza of "The Raven" has what effect on the poem?

A. It speeds up the rhythm, adding more intensity.
B. It makes the theme of the poem clear.
C. It makes all of the words rhyme, making the reader trip over what's being said.
D. It slows down the poem, bringing it to a close.

Answer 1

A. It speeds up the rhythm, adding more intensity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The pace feels accelerated during the first verse of this stanza.

It is hard not to feel the intensity that this recently added rhythm brings to the poem near its end.

And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting

On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;

And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,

And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;