Asyndeton adds dramatic intensity to the poem's language, abruptly mashing together phrases that would otherwise use an intervening conjunction (like "and"). Here it is at work in lines 1-2:
My parents kept me from children who were rough
Who threw words like stones and wore torn clothes
Asyndeton adds a kind of grammatical "rough[ness]" to these lines, as a new clause begins without any warning (either a comma or an "and"). It propels the language powerfully forward and helps capture the strength and energy of the "rough" kids.
Lines 5-6 use asyndeton to similar effect, again combining it with a line break:
I feared more than tigers their muscles like iron
Their jerking hands and their knees tight on my arms
That quick shift from "iron" to "Their" is jerky and erratic, evoking the physical movements the speaker is describing.
Line 9 features asyndeton too, though this time without the added line break:
They were lithe, they sprang out behind hedges
Like dogs to bark at my world.
Notice how placing an "and" between "lithe" and "they" would ruin the effect. The compression of asyndeton makes the language more abrupt and dynamic; the second clause seems to leap out at the reader, much as the bullies would pounce on the speaker.
![]() |
PDF downloads of all 3129 of our lit guides, poetry guides, Shakescleare translations, and literary terms.
PDF downloads of all 1970 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish.
Learn more
|
![]() |
Explanations for every quote we cover.
Detailed quotes explanations (and citation info) for every important quote on the site.
Learn more
|
![]() |
Instant PDF downloads of 136 literary devices and terms.
Definitions and examples for 136 literary devices and terms. Instant PDF downloads.
Learn more
|
![]() |
Compare and contrast related themes.
Compare and contrast Related Themes across different books.
Learn more
|
![]() |
Teacher Editions for all 1970 titles we cover.
LitCharts Teacher Editions for every title we cover.
Learn more
|
![]() |
PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem.
PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem.
Learn more
|
![]() |
Advanced search across our collection.
Advanced Search. Find themes, quotes, symbols, and characters across our collection.
Learn more
|
![]() |
Line-by-line explanations, plus analysis of poetic devices for lyric poems we cover.
Line-by-line explanations, plus analysis of poetic devices for every lyric poem we cover.
Learn more
|
Common Core-aligned