In poetry, enjambment occurs when there is no break or punctuation at the end of a line, but the idea being expressed is carried on in the following line. For example, in Langston Hughes' poem "Theme for English B," we see enjambment in the following lines:
It's not easy to know what is true for you or me
at twenty-two, my age. But I guess I'm what
I feel and see and hear, Harlem, I hear you:
The first two lines above use enjambment because to finish reading the thought, the reader must immediately continue to the next line. Utilizing this device can create a sense of speed or urgency for the reader because it forces them to continue moving down the page with the text. There is not room for a break after each line. In the Hughes poem, it helps stop the poem from being read like a...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
rhyming poem, but highlights instances of internal rhyme instead ("what is true for you or me at twenty-two"). In other works, it may help build up a strong emotion or lead to a climactic moment by keeping the reading constant rather than stopped. Like many literary devices, enjambment can be used to achieve many effects.
References