"And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered? Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb. And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance."
-The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran
Which statement best describes how Gibran's diction contributes to his poetic voice in this excerpt?
O Unusual word choice—such as "cease," "restless," and "expand"—adds an imaginative element to the excerpt.
O Words such as "sing," "climb," and "dance" create images often associated with pleasant, lighthearted experiences.
O The repetition of the word "shall" makes the writing more formal and the ideas expressed more believable.
O The use of informal words and expressions, such as "river of silence," suggests a casual, lighthearted message.