Analysing Enjambment

Introduction

Enjambment is the term used to define how a poet purposely continues an image from one line into the next. By splitting the phrase, they could be trying to draw our attention to the words and present the idea more effectively to the reader. Enjambment can also be used to surprise readers by shifting our interpretation of an image with the additional details in the second line.

When you are analysing a poem for the first time, the writer’s use of enjambment should be easy to identify, but not always that straightforward to explain. By exploring William Carlos Williams’ “The Red Wheelbarrow”, this guide will help develop your ability to comment on this poetic technique more effectively.

Annotating Enjambment

“The Red Wheelbarrow” consists of one sentence split into four couplets with two lines each. There are no breaks in the syntax, such as a comma or dash, so each line runs into the next. Look at the first two couplets:

“So much depends
Upon

a red wheel
barrow”

Unfortunately, many candidates simply refer to the use of enjambment and then quote both lines:

The poet uses enjambment in the lines “so much depends upon” to emphasise our reliance and trust on this simple tool.

At the very least, you should identify where the enjambment occurs by adding a forward slash:

The poet uses enjambment in the lines “so much depends / upon” to emphasise our reliance and trust on this simple tool.

If there is a stanza break, you should indicate the enjambment by using two forward slashes:

The poet uses enjambment in the lines “so much depends / upon // a red wheel / barrow” to emphasise our reliance and trust on this simple tool.

More Precise Annotation

Only identifying the enjambment is particularly unhelpful if the poem contains much longer lines. Consider this alternative approach:

In the opening couplet, the poet splits the verb “depends” from the preposition “upon” which is placed on the next line. This simple enjambment emphasises a stronger sense of reliance and trust by forcing the reader to dwell on the word “depends”.

In this example, the break in syntax is identified with more precision and then a comment is made about the actual impact of the enjambment on the reader. This next example follows the same approach:

Williams’ purposely splits the adjective “white” from the noun “chickens” in the next line. This simple enjambment emphasises the colour of the animals by making the reader focus on the description.

Of course, you need to decide which approach works best for your analysis. The final examples use both styles:

Interestingly, the poet splits the word wheelbarrow across two lines: “a red wheel / barrow”. This inventive enjambment emphasises the two parts of the tool and how one relies on the other to work properly.

Or:

Williams’ use of enjambment in the lines “glazed with rain / water” is very effective. By splitting “rain” from “water”, the poet is able to emphasise how the pooling water originates from falling rain and, therefore, reinforces the theme of causality in the poem.