Posted by
u/SueViv50
2 hours ago

[HELP] Dactylic vs anapaestic rhythm in Plath's "Poppies in October"
In an analysis I was writing of Sylvia Plath's 'Poppies in October', I noted that the:

... falling dactylic rhythms of the final line allude to the inevitable transience of such vivacious beauty, as they aurally enact a weary regression into the drugging inertia and apathetic deep blues of a “dawn of cornflowers.
In an analysis of Sylvia Plath's "Poppies in October" I suggested that the last line "In a forest of frost, in a dawn of cornflowers" uses dactylic rhythm to aurally enact a weary regression into the drugging inertia and apathetic deep blues of a “dawn of cornflowers."
My marker, however, suggested that "forest of frost" and "dawn of cornflowers" were more of an anapaestic rhythm, whose rise would refute my final analysis. Can anyone please help me out! Would you say it is more dactylic or anapaestic? For reference, here is the final line in its entirety:

In a forest of frost, in a dawn of cornflowers.

Thanks in advance!

Personally I think it is more anapaestic as "in" has more emphasis compared to "a for" and then the "est" is again emphasised more heavily if you slow down your reading. However I can also see how it maybe be dactylic depending on individual reading style

Thank you so much for that. Its very helpful ( although not the answer I wanted), you've prevented me from making a mistake on the exam.
Cheers

    supebeal

    I think it's up to interpretation on the person reading and how they pronounce words, I am assuming the marker is a teacher and might have a better idea on what VCAA also thinks it is but yeah Literature kind of sucks in this regard

      Write a Reply...