Tone/Mood

Tone is shown through diction and is very important in a poem because it influences the poem's mood, which in turn influences the reader's interpretation of the poem. For example, in "Daddy" by Slyvia Plath, the tone is very resentful, bitter, and regretful. Grasping the poem's tone and mood prevents misunderstanding the poem. Because of the tone in this poem, it is made clear to the reader that this is a very serious poem and allows the reader to understand the speaker's inner struggles.