Which rhyme scheme is used in this excerpt from “Ballad of Birmingham” by Dudley Randall?
“Mother dear, may I go downtownInstead of out to play,And march the streets of BirminghamIn a Freedom March today?”“No, baby, no, you may not go,For the dogs are fierce and wild,And clubs and hoses, guns and jailsAren’t good for a little child.”“But, mother, I won’t be alone.Other children will go with me,And march the streets of BirminghamTo make our country free.
“Mother dear, may I go downtown
Instead of out to play,
And march the streets of Birmingham
In a Freedom March today?”
ABCB
ABBC
AABB
ABCA
Answers
The rhyme scheme of the above stanza is ABCB.
“Ballad of Birmingham” by Dudley Randall is a poem which is a conversation between a mother and daughter about a 'Freedom March' which will be happening on the streets of Birmingham. The daughter wishes to attend the march but her mother restricts her to go there and tells her about the dangers of going there. Instead, she sends her daughter to Church which is a safe place. But unfortunately, a bombing happens in the church in which the mother finds her daughter dead. She falls prey to the act of racism.
Out of the given four options, the correct option is C.
The poet has used AABB rhyming scheme in the work.
The rhyming pattern used in the line is not unique but is presented wisely in interesting way.
He has presented the concept in remarkable way without making it boring.