Ezra Pound’s “Canto I” opens with the following lines: “And then went down to the ship,/Set keel to breakers, forth on the godly sea, and(…).” Which of the following statements best characterizes these lines and the poem as a whole ?

A. These lines set an impersonal tone which dominates the entire poem.
B. These lines establish a rhythmical pattern, which is followed strictly throughout the poem.
C. These lines are the only impersonal lines in the poem, the rest of which is primarily focused on the complexity of human emotions.
D. These lines establish a personal tone, focusing on a lyrical perspective similar to late-Victorian era poetry.

Correct Answer: These lines set an impersonal tone which dominates the entire poem. ✔

Last Updated: August 21, 2020