Enjambment+--+Da+Bin+Lee

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Often times, we do not have to read a piece of writing to tell whether it is a poem. A brief glance is all we need. A poem looks like a poem. Its lines do not reach the right-side margin, and some lines are not even complete sentences. A poet, with consciousness and care, chooses when to cut each line. The Harlem Renaissance writer Jean Toomer also breaks the lines of his poem, “Reapers,” so that it carries greater significance. He makes an effective use of pause and enjambment—the continuation of a sentence over a line-break—to create more interesting sound with noticeable rhymes, several alliterations, and dual themes of slavery and death. =====

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The primary purpose of Toomer’s enjambment becomes clear once we pay attention to the last words of every line. Toomer has cut all the lines so that four pairs of rhyme scheme can be created: (1) “stones” and “hones,” (2) “done” and “one,” (3) “weeds” and bleeds,” (4) “blade” and shade”. The precise rhyme scheme with obvious pattern produces an audible echo effect, as the last word of each line receives a natural emphasis. Although the rhyme appears to be a quite apparent reason for the line-breaks, more profound reasons lie beneath the surface. =====

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The powerful one stanza poem “Reapers” meets its audience’s ears in an interesting way. From the very first line, the poet begins with alliteration: “sound of steel on stones”. This repetition of initial consonant sound creates a sense of imminence, making the listeners to wonder from what “the sound” originates. Toomer cleverly breaks the line after the three “s” sounds. The second line also starts with alliteration consists of “s” sounds, yet Toomer has intentionally separated this particular alliteration from the previous one to underscore that “sharpening scythes” is what has caused the sound. He gives the delayed answer after growing the curiosity of his audience first. His constant use of alliteration yields another intriguing effect. Throughout the entire poem, there are in total four alliterations that involve “s” sounds; and those sounds remind the listeners of actual sounds made by a sharp blade slicing through the air, weeds, and a field rat. =====

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While reading, the audience cannot expect what would happen next. None of the lines give slightest hint of the next line’s scene. Just by reading the first line about “the sound of steel”, we cannot guess where the sound originates from; just by reading the fifth line (which conveys a rather peaceful image), we cannot expect the bloody scene that follows right after. =====

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The historic background about the Harlem Renaissance easily leads us to associate this poem (written by an African American) with slavery. When simply interpreted, “Reapers” projects an image of slaves—with bleak minds and indifferent attitudes—laboring in the field. The poem may be lamenting the dark past, the displeasure of forced labor. However, when viewed from a different angle, the entire poem can change into a metaphor. A reaper usually refers to a person or a machine that cuts and gathers crops, but it may also indicate the personification of death, the Grim Reaper. Death is a suitable theme for the poem as it constantly embraces darkness. The reapers are “black”, and so are the horses. And of course, the poem ends with “shade”. The poem as a whole builds the dark atmosphere until the imagery of death is finally explicitly revealed through blood and squealing. =====

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If Toomer has not divided the lines in such ways, the pleasant rhyme would have been broken, alliteration would not have been so powerful, and the poem would have failed to surprise its audience. A line breaks for a reason. =====

First of all, I really liked the title, and the way you finished off the essay with the title. Also, I did not notice that the enjambments made the poem 'sound better,' and you did a good and creative job of explaining it. Your introduction is very engrossing as well.

