Look at the line “A novice might nonplus”. How would you write this ‘correctly’? Why is the poet’s ‘incorrect’ line better in the poem?
Model Answer & Options
Source: TextbookThe line “A novice might nonplus” would be more conventionally written as “A novice might be nonplussed.” However, the poet’s choice to drop “be” and use “nonplus” as a verb is a deliberate, creative twist. This unconventional usage adds a playful, dynamic quality to the line and enhances the poem’s unique voice. It also creates a more active image, as if the novice’s confusion is an action in itself, which aligns with the poet's overall style of bending language rules for stylistic effect and to engage the reader.
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