Tone in Poetry

Authors set a TONE or MOOD in literature by conveying an emotion or emotions through ________.

• pictures

• height

• words

• funny faces

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and   

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

What is the tone of this section?

• positive

• negative

The caged bird sings   

with a fearful trill   

of things unknown   

but longed for still   

and his tune is heard   

on the distant hill   

for the caged bird   

sings of freedom.

What tone is created in this section?

• hopeful

• hilarious

• romantic

• appreciative

The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn

and he names the sky his own.

What is the tone of this section?

• depressing

• silly

• optimistic

• mocking

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams   

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream   

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied   

so he opens his throat to sing.
What is the tone of this section?

• playful

• relaxed

• happy

• tragic

her tongue can’t lay itself down flat enough

for the English language,

it got too much hip

too much bone

too much conga

What tone does this section create?

• stressful

• hopeless

• playful

• bossy

What tone does this section create?

• confident

• confused

• violent

• stressful

she speaks a sanchocho of spanish and english,
pushing up against one another,
in rapid fire

there is no telling my mama to be “quiet,”
she don’t know “quiet.”

What is the tone of this section?

• nervous

• cold

• humorous

• angry

What is the primary purpose of tone in poetry?

• To create a specific mood or feeling

• To describe the setting

• To introduce characters

• To explain the plot

Which of the following best describes a 'melancholic' tone in poetry?

• Joyful and uplifting

• Sad and reflective

• Angry and aggressive

• Calm and peaceful