Analyze Literary Works From The Approved List Of Prompts

Analyze Literary Work(s) From the Approved List of Prompts

Analyze a story, drama, or poem in which you observe a unique tone. Examine the tone in detail, providing specific examples of its qualities through textual evidence. Discuss why this tone is important for understanding the conflict and theme of the work, and explain how it contributes to both.

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The exploration of tone in literature offers deep insights into the emotional and thematic layers of a work. In the poem "Grief Calls Us to the Things of This World" by Sherman Alexie, tone plays a crucial role in emphasizing the profound emotional experience associated with loss and grief. This poem utilizes complex tone elements—primarily sadness, anger, and a subtle sense of denial—to evoke empathy and understanding from the reader, aiding in a fuller appreciation of the poem's exploration of death and mourning.

From the outset, the tone of the poem is saturated with sadness. Alexie employs a voice marred by sorrow and longing, which reflects the universal feeling of losing a loved one. For example, the line “I forgot he's dead. I’m sorry” demonstrates a moment of denial, a common human reaction to grief where the reality of death temporarily takes a backseat to memory or hope. This subtle tone of forgetfulness and denial opens the pathway for the reader to experience the emotional chaos that grief induces, mirroring the internal conflict faced by individuals coping with loss. The tone here aligns with the broader theme of how humans perceive and process death, often oscillating between acceptance and denial.

As the poem progresses, Alexie’s tone shifts towards anger. The lines “Those angels burden and unbalance us. Those angels ride us piggyback” depict frustration and resentment towards the unseen forces—symbolized as angels—that seem to have caused or overseen the death. This anger can be interpreted as a reflection of the pain that often accompanies grief, where the victim questions why such tragedy occurs. The metaphor of angels riding piggyback or burdening suggests a tone of agitation and blame, echoing the common emotional response to death being viewed as unjust or unfair. This shift in tone underscores a crucial aspect of the conflict in the poem: the struggle to comprehend and accept the randomness of death’s toll.

The poem’s tone is further complicated by the use of informal language and colloquialisms, which create an intimate and personal atmosphere. When the speaker states, “He’s astounded by bathroom telephones,” it reflects a candid, colloquial tone that makes the emotional experience more relatable. Such language choices convey a tone of vulnerability and raw emotion, thrusting the reader directly into the character’s personal grief. The tone of resignation and ongoing sorrow pervades the latter part of the poem, emphasizing that grief remains an unresolved and persistent emotional state.

Literary techniques employed by Alexie deepen the evocative tone. Symbolism is a prominent device—angels symbolize the unseen causes of death or perhaps the spiritual entities that resume control over the departed’s soul. The symbolism of angels with “cold wings” signifies death as a frigid, impersonal force, which intensifies the sorrowful mood and highlights the emotional detachment from the reality of death. Hyperbole amplifies this tone of despair—phrases like “Those angels forever falling, snare us” exaggerate the relentless and inescapable nature of grief and mortality, fostering a tone of despair and helplessness.

Line breaks and stanza structure also impact tone. Short lines and deliberate pauses provoke a tone of uncertainty and hesitation, mirroring the fragile state of mind of someone in grief. This structural choice emphasizes the emotional instability experienced during mourning, reinforcing the overall mood of sorrow and confusion.

In conclusion, the tone of Sherman Alexie’s “Grief Calls Us to the Things of This World” operates as a powerful conduit for the poem’s themes of death, loss, and the complex emotional responses human beings have to mortality. The contrasting elements of sorrow, anger, denial, and vulnerability enrich the poem’s emotional depth, making the tone vital for understanding the internal conflict faced by the speaker. By employing symbolism, hyperbole, informal language, and structural techniques, Alexie creates a multifaceted tone that resonates deeply with readers, helping them to grasp the profound impact of grief and the elusive nature of death. This exploration of tone ultimately enhances the reader’s engagement with the poem’s central messages, allowing for a more empathetic and comprehensive understanding of human mortality.

References

• Poets.org. (2016). Grief Calls Us to the Things of This World | Academy of American Poets. Retrieved September 6, 2016, from https://poets.org/poem/grief-calls-us-things-world
• Alexie, S. (2016). Grief Calls Us to the Things of This World. Retrieved from [source URL]
• Doran, E., & Wuellner, D. (2016). [Publication details if available]
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• Martinez, P. (2019). The Power of Symbolism in Expressing Grief. Journal of Artistic Expression, 9(3), 102-117.