Step-by-step explanation:
Two images that are striking in "Paul Revere's Ride" are:
1. "A phantom ship, with each mast and spar across the moon, like a prison-bar" - This image is striking because it creates a haunting and eerie atmosphere. It describes the ship as a phantom, which means it is like a ghost or an illusion. The ship's masts and spars appear across the moon, creating an image of a prison-bar that conveys a sense of confinement and oppression. This image adds to the sense of urgency in the poem by highlighting the ominous presence of the British warship and the danger it poses to the colonists.
2. "A line of black, that bends and floats on the rising tide, like a bridge of boats" - This image is striking because it presents a vivid description of the British soldiers crossing the Charles River to reach Lexington and Concord. The line of soldiers appears like a bridge of boats, conveying a sense of unity and purpose. This image adds to the urgency in the poem by highlighting the imminent danger that the British soldiers pose to the colonists.
Overall, Longfellow's use of descriptive language throughout the poem adds to the sense of urgency and danger, making the story of Paul Revere's ride a compelling narrative that captures the spirit of the American Revolution.