Final answer:
Tone in poetry reflects the poet's attitude or mood, crafted through word choice and arrangement. It can vary from seriousness to joy, and is pivotal in understanding a poem's message. Free verse has allowed for a broader exploration of tone in poetry.
Step-by-step explanation:
Examples of Tone in Poetry
Tone in poetry can be understood as the attitude or mood that the poem conveys, which is often crafted through the poet's choice of words and the way in which those words are arranged. A serious tone might utilize more formal language and deal with heavy subjects, while a happy tone may use light, bubbly language to express joy. For example, the tone can change from joyous to somber through the transition of stanzas or even within a single line. Furthermore, imagery can deeply influence the tone, with descriptive language creating an emotional response that aligns with the intended tone.
An example of a joyous tone could be a poem with lines such as 'The sun gleamed brightly on the parade, and colorful streamers floated through the air like dazzling rainbows.' Conversely, an unhappy tone might use language like 'the coldness enveloped everything, silence reigned as hope withered away.' It is important to watch out for shifts in tone throughout a poem as they can be critical in understanding the complexity and intended message of the poem.
Poets like Walt Whitman have demonstrated that free verse can convey tone without relying on traditional poetic forms. This allows the poet more freedom to manipulate language to create a specific tone. Overall, the tone can be the defining feature of a poem, shaping the reader's emotional and intellectual response and often serving to establish a connection or disconnection with the poet's voice.