Enjambment is a poetic technique where a sentence or phrase continues beyond the end of a line, couplet, or stanza without a pause or break. This creates a sense of flow and movement, allowing the reader to move seamlessly from one line to the next.
In this guide, we’ll explore the significance of enjambment, how it differs from end-stopped lines, and how it can enhance your writing.
What is Enjambment
Enjambment is a literary technique used in poetry where a sentence or phrase runs over from one line to the next without a terminal punctuation mark. This creates a sense of continuity and momentum in the poem, encouraging the reader to move quickly from one line to the next.
Enjambment can create a sense of urgency, tension, or surprise, as the reader’s expectation is suspended and only completed in the subsequent line or even later in the poem.
Enjambment vs. End-Stopped Lines
To fully appreciate enjambment, it’s important to understand how it differs from end-stopped lines. End-stopped lines are lines of poetry that end with a punctuation mark, such as a period, comma, or semicolon. This creates a natural pause, allowing the reader to take a breath before moving on to the next line.
In contrast, enjambed lines continue without a pause, creating a sense of momentum and urgency. This can be used to build tension, emphasize certain words or phrases, or create a sense of fluidity and movement.
For example, consider the following lines from T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”:
“Let us go then, you and I,
When the evening is spread out against the sky
Like a patient etherized upon a table;
Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets,
The muttering retreats
Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels
And sawdust restaurants with oyster-shells:
Streets that follow like a tedious argument
Of insidious intent
To lead you to an overwhelming question…
Oh, do not ask, ‘What is it?’
Let us go and make our visit.”
In these lines, Eliot uses enjambment to create a sense of movement and urgency, as if the speaker is rushing through the streets and thoughts in his mind. The lack of punctuation between lines creates a seamless flow, allowing the reader to move quickly from one idea to the next.
The Purpose of Enjambment
Enjambment serves several purposes in poetry, including:
- Creating a sense of movement and flow: By allowing lines to run into each other without a pause, enjambment creates a sense of fluidity and movement, allowing the reader to move seamlessly from one line to the next.
- Building tension and suspense: Enjambment can be used to create a sense of urgency and tension, as the reader is forced to move quickly from one line to the next without a pause. This can be particularly effective in building suspense or creating a sense of anticipation.
- Emphasizing certain words or phrases: By placing important words or phrases at the end of an enjambed line, poets can draw attention to these words and create a sense of emphasis and importance.
- Creating a sense of surprise or unexpectedness: Enjambment can be used to create a sense of surprise or unexpectedness, as the reader is forced to move quickly from one line to the next without a pause. This can be particularly effective in creating a sense of tension or suspense.
Enjambment Examples
Enjambment is a common technique used by many poets. Here are a few examples:
1. William Wordsworth, “Tintern Abbey”
“The day is come when I again repose
Here, under this dark sycamore, and view
These plots of cottage-ground, these orchard-tufts,
Which at this season, with their unripe fruits,
Are clad in one green hue, and lose themselves
‘Mid groves and copses.”
In this example, Wordsworth uses enjambment to create a sense of continuity and connection between the speaker’s thoughts and the natural world.
2. John Keats, “Ode to a Nightingale”
“My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains
My sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk,
Or emptied some dull opiate to the drains
One minute past, and Lethe-wards had sunk:
‘Tis not through envy of thy happy lot,
But being too happy in thine happiness,—”
In this example, Keats uses enjambment to create a contrast between the movement and flow of the first line and the closure and stability of the second line.
3. Emily Dickinson, “Hope is the thing with feathers”
“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.”
In this example, Dickinson uses enjambment to create a sense of movement and flow, which reflects the speaker’s hopefulness.
How to Use Enjambment in Your Writing
If you’re interested in using enjambment in your own writing, here are a few tips:
- Experiment with different line breaks: Try breaking your lines at different points to see how it affects the rhythm and flow of your poem.
- Pay attention to the meaning of your words: When you use enjambment, the meaning of your words can change depending on where you break the line. Be intentional about where you place your line breaks to create the desired effect.
- Use enjambment to create tension or suspense: You can use enjambment to create tension or suspense by delaying the resolution of a thought or idea. This can keep your reader engaged and curious about what will happen next.
Conclusion
Enjambment is a powerful literary device that can be used to create movement, flow, and tension in your writing. By experimenting with different line breaks and paying attention to the meaning of your words, you can use enjambment to create a more immersive and engaging reading experience for your readers.