tone

When we think about tone of a poem, we’re identifying ‘how a poem sounds’ in terms of the speaker’s attitude or stance, or the general impression made by the poem.

For example, a sense of calm, of reflection, might be found in a poem presenting the stillness of a landscape or place.

A lively, busy tone might be established in a poem about a busy street.

An intimate tone could be established in a poem about love, or about a private thought.

A didactic tone (i.e. sounding like a teacher or instructor) might be established in a poem about environmental damage and the need to do something about that.

An authoritative tone might be established in a poem setting out clear ideas, or instructions.

An elegiac (mournful, serious) tone might be present in a poem which looks back on a distant past, or remembers a loved person no longer alive.

A light-hearted tone might be present in a poem intended to be funny.

And so on.  

There are many kinds of tone which we might encounter in a poem.  The important thing to do is to explore the tone of the poem in front of you, and to analyse how that tone is created and sustained.

We should also listen out for levels of formality: is the poem formal or informal?

For example, a poem about a close relationship between two people might establish a very informal tone.  

Informality in tone might be created through ordinary, everyday language: for example,

For goodness sake

Shut up, and let me think.

Leave me alone, 

To chew over what you’ve said.

A formal tone we might associate particularly with traditional poetry from the past, as well as, perhaps, with poetry written to mark an important or solemn occasion.  For example,

The day has come to stand and mark the gift

Of lives given freely for a country’s name;

Of youthful sacrifice and years, loves, dreams

Offered upon the altar of a higher cause

Than that of self, survival, or of private joy.

As you read your ‘unseen’ poem, try to identify its tone, and to reflect on interesting aspects of it which you explore.