Question

You Don't Know Me

by Chuck
You see that I'm alone
You see that I steal
But you don't know me.
You would know me if
You knew how hard it was to live alone
You knew how love has hurt me
You knew your mom didn't love you.
You see that I smoke
You see that I fight
But you don't know me.
You would know me if
You knew how I turn emotions to haze
You knew how I don't fear death
You knew how tucked in the corner was sadness.

What was the tone or attitude the author has in this poem?

Answer 1

The author's tone in 'You Don't Know Me' is defensive and misunderstood, emphasizing a contrast between external judgments and internal struggles.

Step-by-step explanation:

The tone or attitude of the author in the poem “You Don’t Know Me” by Chuck is one of defensiveness and misunderstanding. The speaker is confronting assumptions others may have about them, emphasizing that these judgments are made without truly knowing the speaker's experiences or the pain they have endured.

The tone changes from defensive to reflective as the speaker divulges their emotional struggle, giving insight into the reasons behind their actions. The use of the word “But” signifies a turn in the poem, contrasting the external perception of the speaker with their internal reality and highlighting the discord between appearance and understanding.