Question

Read the stanza from "The Battle of Blenheim." "And everybody praised the Duke Who this great fight did win." "But what good came of it at last?" Quoth little Peterkin. "Why that I cannot tell," said he, "But 'twas a famous victory." How does Robert Southey's word choice affect the tone in this stanza of the poem?

It creates an ironic and sarcastic tone.

It suggests a hopeful and sincere tone.

It creates a sad and mournful tone.

It suggests a honest and matter-of-fact tone.

Answer 1

It suggests a honest and matter-of-fact tone.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this poem by Robert Southey, the poet narrates the events of the battle of Blenheim to his granddaughter. His tone was suggestive of an honest and matter-of-fact evaluation of the matter. He was honest enough to explain that he did not really know why the battle was fought or if any good came of it.

Honesty in this case required not buttering up the matter or saying what a person was not really sure of. In a matter-of-fact tone, he acknowledged that it was a famous battle.