Final answer:
The tone of William Cullen Bryant's poem "To a Waterfowl" is reflective and contemplative, evoking awe and introspection as the speaker meditates on the guidance of Providence in life's journey.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tone of the poem "To a Waterfowl" by William Cullen Bryant can be characterized as reflective and contemplative. Throughout the poem, the speaker observes the solitary journey of a waterfowl, which leads to a broader meditation on the guidance of Providence in one's life. Bryant's use of language and imagery evokes a sense of awe and wonder, but also of solitude and introspection. As the poem progresses, the contemplative tone encourages the reader to reflect on their own life's path and the forces that may be guiding it. The poem concludes with a reassuring and inspirational message, as the speaker gains a sense of trust in the idea that, like the waterfowl, an individual's life is under a guiding hand.