Final answer:
The speaker or narrative voice establishes the perspective of a poem, which often changes throughout the text. Analyzing the tone, mood, diction, imagery, and structure of the poem, including shifts in voice and stanza changes, can reveal these shifts in perspective and the poem's progression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The perspective from which a poem is told is known as the speaker or narrative voice. To analyze a poem's perspective, one must consider who the speaker is, the situation being described, and the overall tone and mood of the poem. These aspects are critical in understanding what shifts in perspective may occur throughout the poem.
As one reads through a poem, noting the tone, which can range from happy to sad or bitter, helps grasp the emotional setting created by the poet. The poem's structure, including stanza divisions and shifts in voice, can indicate changes in perspective or the poem's progression.
Examining the poem's structure, word choice (diction), and the nature of the questions posed in different stanzas helps reveal subtle changes. For instance, a narrative voice may begin with descriptive details, evolve into an interrogative mode with questions, and then become more lyrical and introspective before addressing a specific character directly at the end.
The title and initial lines of a poem can also set the stage for the narrative, influencing the first impressions and expectations of the reader. Identifying the use of imagery, the organization of lines, and changes in tone are also pivotal in uncovering the poem's narrative and thematic development over distinct parts. Furthermore, analyzing elements like alliteration and repetition as well as diction help in understanding the poem's rhythm, mood, and deeper meanings.