Enjambment
Enjambment- what is it and what does it show when used in poetry? While it may not seem immediately obvious to the casual reader of poetry, enjambment is a powerful tool; it shows that poetry is not just about words, but about how those words are used. It is a technique which allows the poet to express emotion, create tension or provide momentum in a poem.
The technical definition of enjambment is “to carry a sentence or line of verse over to the following line without using a terminal punctuation mark” (Scrivener, 2014). Essentially, this means that a poet can break up a phrase, sentence or idea over two or more lines without having to use full stops of pauses. This can give the poem a distinctive rhythm or tempo; it can also help to create suspense, as the reader never knows when the phrase or sentence will end.
One of the most famous examples of enjambment comes from Alfred Tennyson’s poem “The Lady of Shalott”. Two lines in particular stand out as a perfect example of enjambment: “She left the web, she left the loom; / She made three paces through the room.”(Tennyson, 1842). Even though they are complete sentences, they only have one subject and one verb (“she left”). This allows the poem to move along quickly, without losing the sense of urgency or desperation that the Lady of Shalott feels as she rushes from her tower.
Another good example of enjambment is from W.H. Auden’s poem “As I Walked Out One Evening”. Here, the line “I heard a Lorelei” continues on for three stanzas without pause, each line uniting to create an image of a beautiful, mysterious woman: “I heard a Lorelei sing, singing to the river Ga, or song of the too often lonesome, lonesome heart of a river-da.” (Auden, 1940). Here, enjambment is used to create a sense of longing, picturing a woman who will never answer the speaker’s call.
What Does Enjambment Show?
Enjambment, then, can have several functions within a poem. Firstly, it can create tension and suspense; it can also add momentum and speed to the poem, giving the words an energy and liveliness that they would not have if all the lines ended in a full stop. Secondly, it can also aid in creating imagery and rhythm; for example, the example from Tennyson’s poem creates an image of a desperate woman trying to escape from her tower, and creates a rhythm that mirrors her rushed movements.
Finally, enjambment can help to convey emotions and feelings in a way that other poetic devices cannot. In poems such as Auden’s, it can create a sense of longing and desire that a full stop simply cannot replicate. Furthermore, enjambment can also be used to convey confusion or disorientation; for example, in E.E. Cummings’ poem “anyone lived in a pretty how town”, the enjambment of the lines “anyone they sang their they wrote/ their how and when and why” conveys a sense of disorientation and confusion, reflecting the chaos of life.
Effects on Reader Experience
When used effectively, enjambment can be a powerful tool for the reader. It can create moments of tension, shock or surprise; it can add a sense of speed and energy to a poem; and it can help to illustrate emotions or ideas in a way that full stops simply cannot. Moreover, enjambment can also be used to ensure that a poem sounds natural and rhythmic; the poet can break up lines and phrases in a way that creates the desired rhythm and flow.
Moreover, enjambment can help to keep the reader engaged. By breaking up a sentence or phrase over several lines, the poet can keep the reader guessing and increase their interest in the poem. Furthermore, enjambment can create a ‘call and response’ effect, as the reader waits for the poet to finish the sentence or phrase. This can be especially effective in longer poems, as it can keep the reader engaged throughout the poem.
Advances in Enjambment
In recent years, poets have taken enjambment to its logical conclusion: using it to create an entire poem without using full stops. This technique, sometimes known as ‘run-on’ or ‘breathless’ poetry, creates a continuous stream of thought that can be both disorienting and exhilarating for the reader. Some of the best examples of this type of poetry include the works of e.e. cummings and Langston Hughes. For example, in Hughes’ poem “Theme for English B” the entire poem is enjambed, creating a single, stream-of-consciousness thought that captures the speaker’s feelings of alienation and disconnection.
The rise of this ‘run-on’ poetry has seen a resurgence in the use of enjambment in poetry. It shows just how far poets can take this poetic device, and how effective it can be in conveying emotion or ideas. In the hands of a skilled poet, enjambment can be a powerful tool; it can create texture, rhythm and structure in poetry, and can help the poet to express complex emotions and ideas.
Impact of Enjambment on Poetry
The impact of enjambment on poetry cannot be overstated; this simple poetic device has revolutionised the way poets write and think about poetry. By allowing the poet to break up a phrase, sentence or idea over several lines, enjambment can create a powerful effect in poetry. It can add a sense of urgency or momentum; it can create suspense or anticipation; it can also help to convey an emotion or create an image for the reader. Furthermore, it can also help to create a rhythm or structure in the poem, allowing the reader to stay engaged throughout.
Indeed, enjambment can be a powerful tool for the poet; it can help to craft complex emotions, images and ideas in a way that other poetic devices cannot. Furthermore, it can also help to make a poem more lyrical, allowing the poet to craft a poem that is both music and poem. Ultimately, then, enjambment is an essential tool for any poet; it can help them to create powerful and memorable poems.
Modern Usage of Enjambment
The use of enjambment in poetry has changed over time; while it is most commonly used as a way of creating texture or momentum in a poem, it is also increasingly being used to break up longer phrases or ideas. This is especially true in contemporary poetry; poets such as Kenneth Koch and Robert Hass have used enjambment to create long, winding and complex thoughts that capture the chaos of modern life. Furthermore, poets such as Mark Strand and Robert Bly have used enjambment to create a dreamlike and hypnotic effect, as the reader is carried from one line to the next without pause.
Enjambment has also become a popular tool in rap and hip-hop, where it can be used to create a distinct rhythm and flow. Artists such as Nas, Wu-Tang Clan and Kendrick Lamar have all used enjambment to great effect; it allows them to craft complex stories in a way that would not be possible if they used full stops and pauses. In this way, enjambment has not only changed the way poetry is written; it has also changed the way music is written and performed.
Conclusion
Enjambment, then, is a powerful tool in poetry. It can create texture, rhythm and structure; it can add suspense, shock, or urgency; and it can help to convey complex emotions or ideas. Furthermore, its use in rap, hip-hop and other music genres has shown just how versatile this poetic device can be; it can be used to create rhythm, momentum, and even entire stories. In short, then, enjambment can be a powerful tool for the poet; it can help them to craft powerful and memorable poems that speak to the reader on an emotional level.
