tone

 Tone

Tone is the culmination of the author's feelings, attitude and opinions towards a subject expressed through their writing. The tone of a story varies significantly depending on the author viewpoint. It can be solemn, exuberant, or inspirational, just to name a few.

Tone's Usage and Effect: Tone is used to convey the attitude and to enforce the direction of the poem. The effect of the tone allows the poem or writing to differ from simply a light or humorous subject to a complex and harsh subject. Comparatively, if the writing is impersonal or an essay, the subject could follow a technical tone.

in Just- spring when the world is mud- luscious the little lame balloonman

whistles far and wee

and eddieandbill come running from marbles and piracies and it's spring

when the world is puddle-wonderful

the queer old balloonman whistles far and wee and bettyandisbel come dancing

from hop-scotch and jump-rope and

it's spring and the

goat-footed

balloonMan whistles far and wee

e.e. cummings

The tone of this poem is melancholic because of the fun images of children playing mixed with the gloomy image of the goat footed balloon man.

__Examples__ The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd: by Christopher Marlowe

**Come live with me and be my love,** **And we will sit upon the rocks,** **And I will make thee beds of roses** **A gown made of the finest wool** **A belt of straw and ivy buds,** **The shepherds' swains shall dance and sing**
 * And we will all the pleasures prove**
 * That valleys, groves, hills, and fields**
 * Woods or steepy mountain yields**
 * Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks**
 * By shallow rivers to whose falls**
 * Melodious birds sing madrigals.**
 * And a thousand fragrant posies,**
 * A cap of flower, and a kirtle**
 * Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle;**
 * Which from our pretty lambs we pull;**
 * Fair lined slippers for the cold**
 * With buckles of the purest gold;**
 * With coral clasps and amber studs;**
 * And if these pleasures may thee move,**
 * Come live with me and be my love.**
 * For thy delight each May morning:**
 * If these delights thy mind may move,**
 * Then live with me and be my love.**

The tone of this poem is amorous. The shepherd uses nature and luxury to tempt the mistress.  

__References__ 1. "What is tone exactly and how do you find it in stories?" __CliffsNotes__. 17 Nov. 2008 . 2. "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love (and the Nymph's Reply)." __Louisiana Tech__. 17 Nov. 2008 <]>