Student Question

Which words in the first five lines of "The Bells" illustrate repetition?

Quick answer:

In the first five lines of "The Bells," the words "bells" and "tinkle" illustrate repetition. This repetition helps create a musical and rhythmic quality that reflects the sound of the bells themselves.

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The first five lines are:

Hear the sledges with the bells -
Silver bells!
What a world of merriment their melody foretells!
How they tinkle, tinkle, tinkle,
In the icy air of night!

The words bells and tinkle are repeated. The real repetition happens in line 12-14:

From the bells, bells, bells, bells,
Bells, bells, bells -
From the jingling and the tinkling of the bells.

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