Tone: Definition And Examples In Poetry - Poem Analysis

All forms of writing, even academic and journalistic, have a tone of some sort. Sometimes, the emotion in a work is not as prominent as in others, and the lack of sentiment might even reveal critical aspects of the plot. Explore more possible tones below, including those used in casual speech and formal writing styles.

What is Tone? Detailed Answer

Tone is a literary device a poet or author uses to convey their attitude towards a subject matter, character, belief, or situation. It might also reflect how they feel about the intended audience. Tone is popularly known as the “feel” of a work, and it gives emotional complexity and depth through the use of language, imagery, and other effects.

A poem’s meaning relies immensely on the poetic tone set by the writer. Poetry taps into the reader’s everyday life, the divine, the sublime, and everything in between, and tries to put them into words. Without tone in poetry, the words on the page would be bland, meaningless, and perhaps even purposeless. 

For example, a work of sadness may have a completely different effect if the reader fails to notice the specific tone set by the poet; this is why readers must pay attention and seek out clues to determine the poem’s mood. Also, paying close attention to the tone helps when analyzing other literary works.

How Do Writers Create Tone?

The creation of tone in a literary work is crucial as it determines the writer’s choice of language, rhythm of the work (in poetry), and use of figurative language. Here are a few ways writers accomplish their desired tone:

1. Word choice: Word choice is essential when setting the tone for a literary work, particularly a poem. It determines how tense the atmosphere is and critically affects the structure of the poem. For example, a poet may use colloquial diction like slang, inside jokes, and light-hearted character jabs to show the playfulness of their work, while they may use disturbing words to portray the sad nature of their work.
2. Figurative language: Tone relies heavily on the writer’s figurative language use. Inculcating metaphor, simile, sarcasm, and hyperbole can help the reader understand how the speaker feels about a subject or event. For example, a poet may use euphemisms to reduce the emotional impact of a statement and set a particular tone.
3. Sentence structure: The length of sentences, whether passive or active voice, and the arrangement of words can influence how the reader thinks about the narrator/writer and the subject. Sentence structure is crucial after word choice has been determined, and both go hand in hand when setting the overall mood for a work.
4. Punctuation: This includes periods, exclamation points, and enjambment. They are necessary for determining tone shifts and accurately structuring sentences. Setting the tone for a poem or novel without punctuation would be impossible.
5. Imagery: Imagery is another crucial tool needed to create the feel of a work. It is when writers use vivid descriptions and rely on the five senses to paint an almost-physical picture of an event.
6. Point of View and Perspective: In literature, point of view is the first thing every writer determines when setting the tone of their work. The most popular points of view are first and third person. Writers use these to create multiple mood effects throughout their work.
7. Sound Devices: In poetry, writers could use sound devices like rhyme, alliteration, assonance, and consonance to set a tone; this heavily influences the reader’s emotional response.

Common Types of Tone

Tone Type	Description	Common Use or Effect
Aggressive	Conveys hostility, anger, or contempt using harsh or threatening language.	Builds tension or highlights conflict between characters or ideas.
Appreciative	Expresses gratitude or admiration toward a person, object, or experience.	Emphasizes value, beauty, or thankfulness.
Critical	Highlights flaws, faults, or problems in people, ideas, or systems.	Often used in satire or argument to challenge or question.
Defensive	Shows a need to justify, protect, or explain one’s actions or beliefs.	Reveals insecurity, conflict, or self-preservation.
Depressing	Evokes sadness, loss, or emotional weight through bleak or mournful language.	Helps explore grief, despair, or tragedy.
Evasive	Avoids direct answers or shifts responsibility subtly or clearly.	Suggests guilt, avoidance, or manipulation.
Formal	Uses polished, structured, or ceremonial language appropriate to social or professional settings.	Creates distance, respect, or adherence to rules.
Gullible	Shows naivety or a willingness to believe too easily.	Highlights manipulation or lack of awareness.
Incredulous	Expresses disbelief, doubt, or skepticism.	Adds tension or reveals a clash of perspectives.
Ironic	Implies a contrast between what’s said and what’s meant, often with subtle humor or sarcasm.	Exposes contradictions, adds humor, or critiques.
Sentimental	Expresses tender or nostalgic emotion, often in an exaggerated way.	Evokes emotion but can risk becoming overly dramatic or cloying.
World-weary	Suggests fatigue, disillusionment, or cynicism from life experience.	Implies wisdom, resignation, or emotional burnout.
Playful	Light-hearted and whimsical, often using humor or exaggeration.	Engages the reader or lightens heavy subject matter.
Neutral	Lacks strong emotion or opinion, delivering facts or descriptions plainly.	Useful for objective analysis or when emotional distance is needed.

Functions of Tone

There are many essential functions of tone in literature and poetry. Some include:

1. Portraying the Writer’s Attitude: Tone is crucial for showing what the writer felt when creating their work. It gives the reader an insight into the mindset of the person who wrote the novel, play, or poem and can even serve as a guide for interpretation.
2. Sets The Mood: Without tone, it would be impossible to understand a piece’s overall mood or emotional atmosphere. Mood gives the reader a better understanding of the overall story, and it helps them determine the relevance and role of the characters in the plot.
3. Enhancing Plot Elements: Tone is essential when setting up a poem, novel, or play’s climax, conflict, and conclusion. It would be impossible to build up tension or portray resolution without it.

Poetry Examples of Tone

Example #1: ‘Because I Could Not Stop for Death’ by Emily Dickinson

‘Because I Could Not Stop for Death’ by Emily Dickinson is a popular poem depicting a speaker’s journey after leaving this world. Take a look at some lines of the piece:

Because I could not stop for Death –

He kindly stopped for me –

The Carriage held but just Ourselves –

And Immortality.

From the above stanza, we can see Emily’s use of a calm, unwavering tone. She uses it to show that the speaker does not feel scared of their situation. However, the tone changes as the poem progresses, and Emily uses a sinister tone to show that the speaker never returns to the world of the living.

Read more of Emily Dickinson’s poetry.

Example #2: ‘Ozymandias‘ by Percy Bysshe Shelley

‘Ozymandias’ is another famous work that features the fall of a great king. Take a look at these lines:

My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;

Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!

Nothing beside remains. Round the decay

Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare

The lone and level sands stretch far away.

From the lines above, we can see how the poet uses an ironic tone to portray how the once mighty king fell to become nothing. The writer also uses a melancholic tone to express the despair of the passage of time.

Explore more poems by Percy Bysshe Shelley.

Example #3: ‘If—’ by Rudyard Kipling

‘If—’ is an inspirational poem that shows its reader how to rise above adversity and live a life of virtue. It is one of the most acclaimed poetry pieces. Here are some lines:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;

 If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;  

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

 And treat those two impostors just the same;

From the lines above, we can see the poet using a cheerful tone. Rudyard uses this positivity to inspire the reader and advise them on how to live a better life.

Explore more of Rudyard Kipling’s poems.

Example #4: ‘The Road Not Taken‘ by Robert Frost

‘The Road Not Taken’ is a piece that portrays a speaker’s indecisiveness in choosing between two roads that diverge on a walk. Take a look at some lines:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could […]

Robert Frost uses a reflective and contemplative tone throughout the poem to portray his trouble of choosing a road. His tone creates an atmosphere of indecisiveness, one he never dispels.

Explore more Robert Frost poems.

Example #5: ‘I am Trying to Break Your Heart‘ by Kevin Young

In some cases, the tone is quite complicated, making it one of the most important features of a text. Take, for example, Kevin Young’s ‘I am Trying to Break Your Heart.’ Here are a few lines from the poem:

I want to wear

your smile on my sleeve

& break

your heart like a horse

or its leg. Weeks of being

bucked off, then

all at once, you’re mine—

In this piece, the poet crafts a speaker who goes back and forth between hating, loving, and wanting to control his ex-lover. The poet’s attitude (or tone) can be summed up as passionate or devoted to his subject. No matter where he sends his speaker emotionally, he is invested in dealing with the situation emotionally.

The writer’s handling of the subject, meaning their depiction of it, should tell the reader something about them.

Read more of Kevin Young’s work.

Other Poetry Examples

Here are other examples of poems with various tones:

1. ‘The Waste Land’ by T. S. Eliot: This piece employs a bleak tone to portray a decaying world.
2. ‘The Second Coming‘ by W. B. Yeats: This poem uses an ominous tone and switches from an objective to a subjective perspective to depict the chaotic nature of war.
3. ‘The Tyger‘ by William Blake: The poet uses a fearful tone to depict just how scary and awe-inspiring the tiger is.
4. ‘Mother to Son‘ by Langston Hughes: The speaker uses a motivational and hopeful tone to emphasize determination in the face of adversity.

Literary Examples of Tone

Example#1: “The Outsider” by Stephen King

“The Outsider” is a horror novel that follows the aftermath of the gruesome murder of a young boy, Frankie Peterson, in the town of Flint City. After an extensive investigation, the lead detective, Ralph Anderson, discovers that the killer was the coach of the Young Boys League, Terrence Maitland. 

However, after a tragic event occurs before Terry’s trial, Ralph begins doubting the entire case. This leads him to uncover secrets that shatter his entire belief in reality. “The Outsider” employs a suspenseful and unsettling tone throughout its plot. The author uses this tone to lead the reader into a world of a terrifying monster who destroys lives with an evil power, identity theft.

Example #2: “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe

“The Tell-Tale Heart” is perhaps Poe’s most commonly studied short story. In it, readers can find numerous examples of tone. They help the reader understand how the narrator thinks about the old man and the murder he committed. Consider these lines from the passage in which he is describing the old man’s eye:

“His eye was like the eye of a vulture, the eye of one of those terrible birds that watch and wait while an animal dies, and then fall upon the dead body and pull it to pieces to eat it. When the old man looked at me with his vulture eye a cold feeling went up and down my back; even my blood became cold. And so, I finally decided I had to kill the old man and close that eye forever!”

In these lines, the self-pitying narrator uses words like “vulture,” “dead body,” “dies,” “cold feeling,” and “blood,” all of which add to a tone of disgust around the eye and the old man who has it. The narrator hates this person for the sole reason that he has a bad eye. The absurdity of this obsession becomes worse as the reader makes their way through the text. The poet’s melancholy, mourning, and lamenting tone is quite effective.

Explore Edgar Allan Poe’s poetry.

Example #3: “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare

“Romeo and Juliet” is one of the most popular romance stories in literature. It follows the tragic relationship between two lovers who were never destined to be together. William Shakespeare employs a tone of passion, anger, reflection, melancholy, and tragedy. Take a look at the last lines of the work:

A glooming peace this morning with it brings;

The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head:

Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things;

Some shall be pardon’d, and some punished:

For never was a story of more woe

Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

From the above lines, we see how Shakespeare uses melancholy to express the tragedy behind Romeo and Juliet’s story. This use of raw emotions made the play one of the most captivating stories in literature.

Tone or Mood?

One of the most commonly asked questions regarding tone is how it differs from mood. They seem similar but have different roles to play. 

The mood is the atmosphere a written work creates and how the reader feels while engaged with the text. This differs from the point of view of the writer. The tone might be disgust, but the mood is fearful and haunting, such as in much of “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Robert Frost is one poet who is well-known for his use of tone and mood. In his poetry, readers can find examples of a peaceful tone as he discusses nature.

Readers might also want to look at popular novels, like The Catcher in the Rye for examples of how different tones are used.

FAQs

Can a work have multiple tones?

Yes, a literature piece can have multiple tones. In fact, for novels, it is almost impossible for an author to maintain a single one throughout their writing. As for poetry, authors use multiple tones to show a sudden shift in the events occurring; this can create a more dramatic effect.

Are tone and diction connected?

Yes, they are. The diction employed by a writer determines the overall tone; this is because when some words and sentence structures are combined, certain emotional effects are created. For example, using formal diction creates a formal tone.

How do you identify tone in a poem?

Consider the elements that make up the author’s mindset. These are their choice of words, figurative language used, punctuation utilized, and the speaker’s mindset. When you understand these elements, figuring out the tone in the piece becomes easy.

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Other Resources

• Read: 155 Words to Describe an Author’s Tone
• Watch: Analyzing Tone Through Word Choice
• Listen: How to Determine the Writer’s Tone