Which word is superfluous: though thick the cat wept, darkness upon darkness, nowhere for an apple to fall? - briefly
The phrase "though thick the cat wept, darkness upon darkness, nowhere for an apple to fall" contains an unnecessary word. The superfluous word is "though".
The word "though" does not contribute to the meaning of the sentence and can be omitted without changing the intended message.
Which word is superfluous: though thick the cat wept, darkness upon darkness, nowhere for an apple to fall? - in detail
The phrase "though thick the cat wept, darkness upon darkness, nowhere for an apple to fall" is a poetic and somewhat enigmatic sentence. To determine the superfluous word, it is essential to analyze the grammatical structure and the meaning of each component.
First, let us break down the sentence into its constituent parts:
- "though thick the cat wept"
- "darkness upon darkness"
- "nowhere for an apple to fall"
The phrase "though thick the cat wept" is grammatically unusual. The word "though" typically introduces a subordinate clause, but in this sentence, it seems to be used more for poetic effect. The word "thick" modifies "the cat," suggesting that the cat is dense or heavy, which is an unusual description. The verb "wept" indicates that the cat is crying, which is also an unusual action for an animal. However, none of these words are superfluous in terms of grammatical correctness; they all contribute to the unusual imagery.
The phrase "darkness upon darkness" is a poetic way of describing deep or intense darkness. The word "upon" is crucial here as it conveys the idea of layering or accumulation of darkness. Without "upon," the phrase would lose its poetic depth.
The final part, "nowhere for an apple to fall," is also poetic. It suggests a sense of desolation or emptiness where even an apple, a symbol of life and nourishment, has no place to land. The word "for" is necessary to indicate the purpose or direction of the apple's fall.
Upon careful examination, the word "thick" stands out as potentially superfluous. While it contributes to the poetic imagery, it does not significantly alter the meaning of the sentence. The sentence could still convey a sense of desolation and darkness without the word "thick." The cat's weeping, the intense darkness, and the absence of a place for an apple to fall are the primary elements that create the mood, and "thick" adds an extra layer of description that is not essential to the overall meaning.
In conclusion, the word "thick" can be considered superfluous in the given sentence. Its removal would not detract from the poetic and despairing atmosphere created by the other words.