Question

Why does Tennyson use so much repetition, refrain, and parallelism in "The Charge of the Light Brigade"? How do these devices reflect what is going on in the poem?

a) To confuse the reader
b) To slow down the pace of the poem
c) To emphasize the chaos and bravery of the charge
d) To create a calm and peaceful tone

Answer 1

Tennyson uses repetition, refrain, and parallelism in "The Charge of the Light Brigade" to emphasize the chaos and bravery of the charge, mirroring the rhythm of charging horses and highlighting the soldiers' collective unity and courage in a tragic situation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Alfred Lord Tennyson uses repetition, refrain, and parallelism in "The Charge of the Light Brigade" to emphasize the chaos and bravery of the charge. These literary devices mirror the galloping rhythm of horse hooves and reinforce the relentless nature of the doomed advance in the face of danger. For example, the line "Half a league, half a league, half a league onward," suggests an unstoppable and rhythmic forward movement, much like the cavalry itself. The repetition also serves to etch the event into the memory, reflecting the unforgettable courage of the soldiers. Tennyson's use of refrain conveys the tragic inevitability of the soldiers' fate, while the parallelism highlights the unity and collective action among the troops.