Question

Identify the lines from the poem that show antithesis and explain why it is so.

Answer 1

Because they combine two opposing ideas into a single sentence, the lines ‘Will it pull you forward’ and ‘Or push you back in fear’ demonstrate antithesis. To illustrate the various options we have, the poet employs opposing motions like push and pull as well as opposing directions like forward and back. This contrast emphasises the conflict between pursuing an objective and allowing fear to deter us.