American Literature

In my opinion, the poem that uses tone as the most effective tool of expression is The Planned Child by Sharon Olds. The poem tells a story about changing opinion. Thought the lines of the poem it is clearly seen how the attitude of the character towards own birth changes with the flow of thoughts. This poem, I believe, is the brightest out of the four, example of using tone in poetry.  Following the lines of the poem, it can be noticed how the tone changes from angry to uncertain, and finally expresses appreciation.

As for My Childhood Home I See Again by Abraham Lincoln, it is written in a calm tone as the poet starts. The lines become sounding lofty as Lincoln calls for his memory. The tone also changes as the poet starts writing about another aspect of his childhood  friends, and Matthew in particular. The tone returns to being philosophical again at the end of the poem as Lincoln addresses death. Monotonous verses make sink into the poem and its mood. Images challenge imagination to draw pictures of what the poet describes, and this more than tone helps Lincoln to express the idea.

Dying by Robert Pinsky is based on contrast. Though the somewhat prosaic and down-to-earth tone of the poem does add to its quality, the major impact is reached via contrasting small things and events to a seemingly significant event of dying.

Salvatore Quasimodo Auschwitzhas a gloomy, but, at the same time, life-asserting tone. The poem evokes images that express and support the authors attitude toward the camp, as well as his vision of Auschwitz.However, the tone does not change through the lines. It remains the same through the whole poem and is not the major literary device of this work.