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Read the following passage from "The War Prayer":

None could remember the life of it for passionate pleading and moving and beautiful language. The burden of it's supplication was, that the ever-merciful and benignant Father of us all would watch over our noble young soldiers, and aid, comfort and encourage them in their patriotic work.

What device does Twain use to support the mood of the passage?

A. Metonymy

B. Asyndeton

C. Polyptoton

D. Polysyndeton

1 Answer

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Answer:

D. Polysyndeton

Step-by-step explanation:

Polysyndeton is a literary device in which conjunctions are used repeatedly in quick succession even when they could be omitted. These conjunctions are often not preceded by commas. The purpose of this device is to change the rhythm of the text.

Twain uses polysyndeton twice in the given passage:

  • None could remember the life of it for passionate pleading and moving and beautiful language. (Instead of: None could remember the life of it for passionate pleading, moving, and beautiful language.)
  • The burden of its supplication was, that the ever-merciful and benignant Father of us all would watch over our noble young soldiers, and aid, comfort and encourage them in their patriotic work. (Instead of: ... Father of us all would watch over our noble young soldiers, aid, comfort, and encourage them in their patriotic work.)

Metonymy is a literary device in which something is referred to by the name of something else closely associated with it (e.g. crown instead of the king or queen).

Asyndeton is a literary device in which conjunctions are omitted from a series of related clauses (e.g. I came. I saw. I conquered.)

Polyptoton is a literary device in which words derived from the same root are repeated (e.g. blood and bleed).

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