Question

In "Go Down, Moses," what effect does repeating "Let my people go" have on the listener?

A) It conveys a sense of urgency and desperation
B) It emphasizes the importance of agricultural work
C) It promotes unity among slaves
D) It discourages resistance and escape

Answer 1

The repeated phrase "Let my people go" in the spiritual "Go Down, Moses" emphasizes the urgent desire for freedom and promotes unity among the enslaved individuals seeking emancipation.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the spiritual "Go Down, Moses", the repetition of the phrase "Let my people go" serves to convey a sense of urgency and desperation. This refrain becomes a powerful cry for freedom that resonates deeply with the experiences of enslaved people, paralleling the biblical story of the Israelites' emancipation from Egyptian bondage.

Moreover, the repetition of the phrase serves to promote unity among slaves as they collectively long for liberation and bonds them with a shared purpose of resistance and hope for emancipation.