'To bring forth sons and daughters brave'' illustrates

Analyze the question: The line "To bring forth sons and daughters brave" is being tested for the figure of speech or literary device it illustrates.

Explain the concept:

• Paradox: a statement that seems self-contradictory but contains truth.
• Zeugma: one word (usually a verb or preposition) governs two or more words in different senses, e.g. "She lost her keys and her temper."
• Inversion: a change in the normal word order for emphasis or rhythm. Also called anastrophe.
• Epigram: a short, witty, memorable statement.

Solution:

1. The normal English word order is "to bring forth brave sons and daughters," with the adjective brave before the nouns.
2. In the line, brave comes after "sons and daughters." The adjective follows the nouns instead of preceding them.
3. This reversal of normal order is inversion. Poets use it to keep a rhyme scheme or metre, or to stress a word. Here it puts emphasis on "brave" and helps the line rhyme.
4. Checking the other options: • There is no contradiction, so it is not paradox. • No single word is made to serve two different senses, so it is not zeugma. • It is not a short witty saying, so it is not epigram.

Answer: C. inversion

Exam tip: When a line sounds "poetic" or unusual in word order, such as an adjective after its noun, a verb before its subject, or an object at the start, think inversion. Ask yourself, "How would I say this in ordinary speech?" If the order differs, that is your answer.