Question

when she abandoned herself a little whispered word escaped her slightly parted lips. she said it over and over under her breath: “free, free, free!” the vacant stare and the look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes. they stayed keen and bright. her pulses beat fast, and the coursing blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body. she did not stop to ask if it were or were not a monstrous joy that held her. a clear and exalted perception enabled her to dismiss the suggestion as trivial. use the passage to answer the question. analyze the characters repetition of “free, free, free!” in the passage. how does it convey meaning? (1 point) the repetition reveals mrs. mallards inability to understand the situation. the repetition highlights mrs. mallards fears. the repetition emphasizes mrs. mallards excitement. the repetition shows mrs. mallards hesitancy about her sudden independence.

Explanation:

Repetition in literature is a literary device used to emphasize a point. In this passage, the word "free" is repeated. The text also mentions that "the vacant stare and the look of terror... went from her eyes. They stayed keen and bright. Her pulses beat fast...", which shows a positive and excited state. The repetition of "free" is likely emphasizing her excitement about the new - found freedom (as the negative emotions like terror left and positive physical responses like fast - beating pulses are present).

Answer:

The repetition emphasizes Mrs. Mallard’s excitement.