Final answer:
Identifying the speaker in a poem involves analyzing the narrative voice and considering the tone, diction, mood, and potential changes in the speaker's perspective or address throughout the poem. The identity of the speaker and the audience influence the interpretation of the poem.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question is asking for insights into how to identify the speaker or narrative voice within a poem. The speaker is the voice that 'tells' the poem, which may or may not be the poet themselves. Clues about the speaker can sometimes be found in the poem's tone, word choice (diction), and mood. While reading the poem, it's essential to consider whether the speaker's voice changes throughout the poem and to whom they are addressing their words. Additionally, one must contemplate the purpose of the poem and what it is trying to convey.
Furthermore, understanding the speaker's perspective aids in identifying whether the poem is a personal narrative, a critique, or a celebration. For example, the use of a certain diction or the portrayal of a character like 'Nobody' in Emily Dickinson's poetry could suggest a certain mood or theme. This becomes crucial when analyzing the poem beyond its surface meaning and considering historical and biographical contexts, potentially elevating the poem as a manifestation of its literary period, like Romanticism. In essence, the speaker's identity and the intended audience—whether it be a specific person, the reader, or a broader audience—greatly influence the interpretation of a poem.