Question

The Purple Cow

(Reflections on a Mythic Beast Who's Quite Remarkable, at Least.)

I never saw a Purple Cow;
I never hope to See One;
But I can Tell you, Anyhow,
I'd rather See than Be One.

What is the main similarity between “The Purple Cow” and Frost’s poem "Mending Wall"?

A) Both use humorous language.
B) Both use iambic pentameter.
C) Both use blank verse.
D) Both use strict meter.

(Not C)

Answer 1

Answer: A) Both use humorous language.

Step-by-step explanation:

Purple Cow was part of The Burgess Nonsense Book Being a Complete Collection of the Humorous Masterpieces of Gelett Burgess. This short poem published in 1895 uses nonsense verse, a sort of nonsense literature whimsical and humorous in tone.

In Mending Wall, Frost examines mischief and humor through the story of the narrator, a New England farmer who reaches his neighbor to rebuild the wall between their lands and however questions the purpose of a wall.

Answer 2

In my opinion, the correct answer is D) Both use strict meter. Frost uses blankverse - unrhymed iambic pentameter, whereas Burgess uses iambic tetrameter (four iambic feet, as in the model da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM). Only Burgess uses humorous language.