Final answer:
The speaker of a poem is the narrative voice or persona that tells the poem's story, distinct from the poet. This speaker can be a fictional character with specific views and emotions that contribute to the poem's tone, diction, and mood, enabling readers to connect deeply with the poem.
Step-by-step explanation:
The speaker of a poem is the narrative voice or persona through which the story of the poem is told, not to be confused with the poet themselves. This speaker can be a character with their own perspectives, emotions, and context within the poem, similar to a character in a work of fiction.
For instance, in "Richard Cory" by Edwin Arlington Robinson, the speaker is a townsperson who observes and describes the character of Richard Cory. We, as readers, engage with the poem through the voice of the speaker, applying what John Keats described as "negative capability," erasing our own identity to embody the speaker's perspective and experience the poem more fully.
Understanding the Speaker's Voice
When analyzing poetry, it’s important to consider the tone, diction, and mood to understand the speaker's stance and the relationship between the subject matter and the speaker. Observing changes in the voice within different stanzas can also provide insight into the narrative or emotional shifts within the poem.
Ultimately, the speaker's voice is instrumental in creating a connection with the reader, allowing them to immerse themselves in the poetry through the speaker's experiences and the poem's rhythm and rhetoric.