Question

How does Nikki Giovanni use punctuation in her poem "Choices"? Additionally, how is her use of punctuation similar to and different from the way Robert Frost used punctuation in his poem?

Poem Excerpt:
"If I can't do what I want to do, then my job is to not do what I don't want to do. It's not the same thing but it's the best I can do. If I can't have what I want... then my job is to want what I've got and be satisfied that at least there is something more to want."

Answer 1

Nikki Giovanni uses punctuation in "Choices" to emphasize the speaker's thoughts and create pauses for reflection. Her use of punctuation is similar to Robert Frost's in terms of shaping rhythm and flow, but differs in the focus and extent of punctuation.

Step-by-step explanation:

In her poem "Choices," Nikki Giovanni uses punctuation to emphasize the speaker's thoughts and create pauses for reflection. For example, she uses periods at the end of each sentence to mark a complete thought and to allow the reader to absorb the message.

Nikki Giovanni's use of punctuation in "Choices" is similar to Robert Frost's in that both poets use punctuation to shape the rhythm and flow of their poems. However, there are differences in their use of punctuation. While Giovanni's punctuation is minimal and focuses on emphasizing the speaker's thoughts, Frost's punctuation is more traditional and used to create structure and clarity in his poems.