Refrain

Definition

A refrain is a repeated line or group of lines in a poem or song, often found at the end of stanzas. This repetition serves to emphasize a particular idea or theme, creating rhythm and a sense of cohesion throughout the piece. Refrains can enhance the emotional impact of the work and engage the audience by providing familiarity with key phrases.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Refrains can create a lyrical quality in poetry and music, making them memorable and engaging for audiences.
2. In many traditional forms of poetry, such as ballads, refrains play a crucial role in establishing rhythm and reinforcing themes.
3. Refrains can vary in length; they may consist of a single line or multiple lines, depending on the creative intent of the author.
4. The use of refrains can evoke specific emotions, such as nostalgia or urgency, depending on how they are integrated into the overall structure.
5. Famous examples of refrains can be found in works like 'Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night' by Dylan Thomas and popular songs like 'Hey Jude' by The Beatles.

Review Questions

• How does the use of refrains enhance the emotional impact of poetry or songs?
  • Refrains enhance emotional impact by providing repetition that emphasizes key themes or ideas. This repetition creates familiarity for the audience, allowing them to connect more deeply with the emotional tone of the piece. By using refrains strategically, poets and songwriters can evoke strong feelings such as joy, sadness, or nostalgia, thereby making their work resonate more powerfully.
• Discuss how refrains contribute to the overall structure and rhythm of a poem.
  • Refrains contribute significantly to both structure and rhythm by creating a pattern that guides the reader or listener. They provide a sense of cohesion across stanzas, linking different parts of the poem together while reinforcing central themes. Additionally, their rhythmic quality can enhance the musicality of the piece, making it more enjoyable to read or hear. This interplay between refrain and rhythm helps shape how audiences experience and interpret the work.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of using refrains in contemporary songwriting compared to traditional poetry.
  • The effectiveness of refrains in contemporary songwriting can be compared to traditional poetry in several ways. In modern songs, refrains often serve as catchy hooks that draw listeners in, making them memorable and encouraging sing-alongs. Meanwhile, traditional poetry utilizes refrains to build thematic depth and emotional resonance over time. Both forms benefit from refrains but in different contexts; contemporary songs prioritize instant connection with audiences, while traditional poetry aims for layered meanings that unfold with repeated readings.

Related terms

chorus: A chorus is similar to a refrain but often refers to a repeated section in a song that contains the main message or theme, typically sung by all voices.

meter:

Meter is the rhythmic structure of a verse, defined by the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, which contributes to the overall sound and flow of the poem.

alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in closely placed words, adding to the musicality and rhythm of a poem or song.