Question

Marshal wants to read aloud this stanza from “The Sandpiper” by Celia Thaxter:

Across the lonely beach we flit,
One little sandpiper and I,
And fast I gather, bit by bit,
The scattered driftwood, bleached and dry.
The wild waves reach their hands for it,
The wild wind raves, the tide runs high,
As up and down the beach we flit,
One little sandpiper and I.

What could Marshal do as he reads to help listeners visualize the action in the poem?

A
He could read the poem rapidly to show how the sandpiper moves.

B
He could emphasize words like beach, wind, waves, and tide.

C
He could emphasize words like flit, wild, reach, raves, and runs.

D
He could raise his voice to emphasize we and sandpiper and I.

Answer 1

C

He could emphasize words like flit, wild, reach, raves, and runs.

Option C would be the most appropriate choice to help listeners visualize the action in the poem. By emphasizing words like "flit," "wild," "reach," "raves," and "runs," Marshal can bring attention to the dynamic movement and energy described in the poem. This would help listeners imagine the sandpiper swiftly moving across the beach, the wild waves reaching out to grab the driftwood, and the wind and tide creating a sense of motion and excitement. By using vocal emphasis, Marshal can enhance the imagery and sensory experience for the listeners, making the poem come alive in their minds as he reads it aloud.