Final answer:
The tone of 'There Was a Child Went Forth' changes from intimate and personal to reflective and inquisitive, signifying the developmental journey of the child as they absorb and ponder their life experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the poem There Was a Child Went Forth, the tone transitions from an intimate divulgence to a brooding inquisitiveness. This change directly reflects the thematic progression of the poem, which mirrors the growth of a child's consciousness and comprehension of the world around them. The initial tone of the piece is intimate and personal, effectively capturing the close relationship between the speaker and the audience, as if imparting a secret or significant truth.
The speaker later employs a questioning approach, suggesting a contemplative mood that invites the reader to ponder deeper truths and experiences. Questions like "-or was it the coldness?-" elicit a sense of wonder and uncertainty. As we continue to read, we perceive an evolution in the way the subject -- the child -- assimilates experiences from their surroundings, reflecting an awakening to the complexities of life.
Throughout the poem, the evolution of tone, from revealing to contemplative, symbolizes the developmental journey of the child as they go forth into their internal and external environments. The shifts in tone are achieved through various literary techniques, such as shifts in diction, imagery, and the interplay between the narrative and interrogative modes.