Question

The word raga means "a pattern of notes having characteristic intervals, rhythms, and embellishments, used as a basis for improvisation." Based on this definition, how does the word connect to the structure that Bob Kaufman employs in his poem "Unanimity Has Been Achieved, Not a Dot Less for Its Accidentalness"? A) through the use of free form and improvisation in the poem
B) through the use of end rhymes and nonsensical words in the poem

C) through the use of words derived from different languages in the poem

D) through the use of jazz beats and rhythms in the poem

Answer 1

In his poem, Bob Kaufman addresses many social problems of poor. He uses the first-person approach making the the problems personal for himself and his readers. Therefore, the poem is genuine. By employing the lines of "extravagant moments of shock of unrehearsed curiosity," Kaufman points to the injustice in society. Kaufman makes these injustices targets for himself. It looks like he calls for a revolution, making his readers reject social design made for the poor:

I sing a mad raga, I sing a mad raga, a glad raga for the ringing bell I sing.

A man fishing with old clothes line, shouting bass drum

Kaufman uses anaphora which is a type of repetition. The word raga is repeated when introducing each idea or thought.

Raga of lip, raga of brass, raga of ultimate come with yesterday, raga of a parched tongue-walked lip, raga of yellow, raga of mellow, raga of new, raga of old, raga of blue, raga of gold, raga of air spinning into itself

Each idea in this line emphasized by the term raga in a free form. The repetition marks the rhyme, as well meaning "the musical form of yellow," an abstract musical concept. The correct answer is A.

Answer 2

The word raga means "a pattern of notes having characteristic intervals, rhythms, and embellishments, used as a basis for improvisation". Based on this definition, the word connects to the structure that Bob Kaufman employs in his poem, "Unanimity Has Been Achieved, Not a Dot Less for Its Accidentalness" though the use of free form and improvisation in the poem.

The answer would be letter A.