The Power of Enjambment: Using Sentence Continuation to Create Tension

Introduction

Poetry has always been about playing with language and creating an emotional impact on the reader through the use of various literary techniques. One such technique that has been used by poets across the ages is enjambment - the art of continuing a sentence across multiple lines. While it may seem like a small detail, enjambment can have a significant impact on the overall tone and mood of a poem. In this article, we will explore the power of enjambment and how poets use it to create tension in their work.

What is Enjambment?

Before we dive into how poets use enjambment to create tension, let's first define what enjambment is. Enjambment is when a sentence or clause continues from one line of poetry to the next, without a pause or break at the end of the line. In other words, the end of the line does not correspond with the end of the sentence or clause. This creates a sense of continuity and flow between lines.

Examples of Enjambment

To understand enjambment better, let's look at some examples:

• "I wandered lonely as a cloud
  That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
  When all at once I saw a crowd,
  A host of golden daffodils;"
  - William Wordsworth, "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud"
• "The apparition of these faces in the crowd;
  Petals on a wet, black bough."
  - Ezra Pound, "In a Station of the Metro"
• "Because I could not stop for Death –
  He kindly stopped for me –
  The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
  And Immortality."
  - Emily Dickinson, "Because I could not stop for Death"

In each of these examples, the sentence or clause continues across multiple lines. This creates a sense of motion and fluidity in the poem.

Using Enjambment to Create Tension

Now that we understand what enjambment is, let's explore how poets use it to create tension in their work. In poetry, tension is created when the reader feels a sense of uncertainty or anticipation. One way to create tension is by using enjambment to disrupt the reader's expectations. Consider this example: "I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me, And what can be the use of him is more than I can see." In this example, the sentence is split across two lines, with the break falling in an unexpected place. This disrupts the reader's natural rhythm and creates a sense of unease. The reader is left waiting for the completion of the sentence, which creates tension. Another way to use enjambment to create tension is by subverting the reader's expectations. Consider the following example: "I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast
Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold"
- William Carlos Williams, "This is Just to Say" In this example, the sentence is broken up in a way that creates a sense of surprise. The reader is expecting the next line to complete the sentence, but instead is met with a new thought. This creates tension and draws the reader in, as they are left wondering what will happen next.

Conclusion

Enjambment is a powerful tool in the poet's arsenal. By using it to disrupt the reader's expectations and subvert their assumptions, poets can create tension and draw the reader into their work. The next time you read a poem, pay attention to the way the sentences flow across lines - you might just be surprised by the impact it has on the poem's emotional impact.

¡Surprise Me!