Poetic Tone: How Tone Indicators and Imagery Move a Poem Forward

Abstract

Unlike most poetic glossary terms, tone seems to remain an elusive craft element. Many definitions all circle around the same general idea, though, which seems to be that tone comes from the “inner voice” of the poet and deals in indicating emotional stakes and emotional intention of the lines in a poem. Though stable tone (the use of a singular tone throughout a poem) is a valid poetic technique, this essay intends to demonstrate, by using the work of James Tate and James Schuyler, that poems employing a multiplicity of tone lend to dense, emotionally rich, propelling work that keeps the readers interested and invested. By using indicators and imagery, tone shifts from line to line, and the reader is kept engaged and curious as to what comes next.