Question

what effect does hughes achieve by repeating the phrase \does it\ in \harlem\?

short words and hard consonants create a sense of angry uncertainty.
short words and questions demonstrate hughess confidence.
the repetition creates a sense of peace and serenity for the reader.
the repetition highlights hughess feelings of self-respect.

Explanation:

Analyze the poem's context

Using the Poetry Analysis knowledge point
Langston Hughes's poem "Harlem" (often known as "Dream Deferred") asks what happens to a dream deferred. The poem is filled with tentative, uneasy questions about decay, festering, and heavy loads, ending with the explosive question, "Or does it explode?"

Evaluate the effect of repetition

Using the Repetition in Poetry knowledge point
The repeated phrase "does it" ("does it dry up", "does it fester", "does it stink", "does it explode") uses short, sharp words and hard consonants ("d", "t"). This persistent questioning creates a tense, unresolved, and angry uncertainty about the deferred dream's ultimate fate.

Assess the given options

• Option 1 correctly identifies that the short words and hard consonants build a sense of angry uncertainty.
• Option 2 is incorrect because the questioning tone conveys doubt and tension, not confidence.
• Option 3 is incorrect because the poem's imagery of decay and explosion is the opposite of peace and serenity.
• Option 4 is incorrect because the repetition focuses on the fate of the deferred dream rather than self-respect.

Answer:

• (A) Short words and hard consonants create a sense of angry uncertainty. (Correct answer)
• (B) Short words and questions demonstrate Hughes's confidence.
• (C) The repetition creates a sense of peace and serenity for the reader.
• (D) The repetition highlights Hughes's feelings of self-respect.