Final answer:
In 'One Art' by Elizabeth Bishop, the speaker's losses escalate in value throughout the poem, and a shift in the speaker's voice indicates a change from detachment to personal attachment.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Elizabeth Bishop's "One Art," the speaker's losses significantly increase in value as the poem progresses. Initially, the losses seem trivial, such as losing door keys or wasting time, which suggests that loss is something that can be mastered or deemed inconsequential. However, as we move through the poem, the stanzas escalate to losing cities, rivers, and continents, building up to the personal and irreplaceable loss of the speaker's loved one. This progression indicates not just a value increase, but a more profound, emotional depth to the concept of loss that the poet explores.
Throughout the poem, there's a noticeable shift in the speaker's voice and tone. While the beginning stanzas maintain a tone of detachment or control, the final stanzas reveal a change towards a more personal and heartfelt plea, particularly noticeable with the mention of 'you' - indicating a direct address to someone particular, likely the speaker's loved one. This shift reflects a breakdown in the speaker's initial claim that loss is an art that can be managed or even mastered.