Fire and Ice:

"Fire and Ice" by Robert Frost is a short poem that explores the destructive forces of desire and hatred,
represented by fire and ice, respectively:
1. Mood:
- Gloomy: The poem's focus on destruction and the end of the world sets a somber tone. There's a sense of
seriousness and gravity in contemplating these themes.
- Reflective: The brevity of the poem allows readers to pause and reflect on the profound implications of
the speaker's words.
- Threatening: The mention of the end of the world suggests a looming threat, creating a sense of unease
and foreboding.
2. Tone:
- Matter-of-fact: The speaker presents the contrasting elements of fire and ice as if stating a simple
observation or fact, without much emotion or embellishment.
- Resigned: There's a sense of acceptance or resignation in the speaker's tone, as if acknowledging the
inevitability of destruction and the human tendencies that lead to it.
Textual Justification:
- "Some say the world will end in fire, / Some say in ice." - The poem opens with a matter-of-fact
presentation of two possible scenarios for the end of the world. This sets the tone for the rest of the
poem.
- "From what I’ve tasted of desire / I hold with those who favor fire." - The speaker's admission of
personal experience suggests a contemplative mood, as they reflect on the nature of desire and its
destructive potential.
- "But if it had to perish twice, / I think I know enough of hate / To say that for destruction ice / Is also
great / And would suffice." - The final lines convey a sense of resignation, as the speaker acknowledges
the destructive power of both desire (fire) and hatred (ice), ultimately accepting that either could bring
about the end of the world.
Overall, "Fire and Ice" evokes a mood of solemn reflection and a tone of detached acceptance, inviting
readers to contemplate the darker aspects of human nature and the consequences of our actions.
Dust of Snow:
"Dust of Snow" is a short, poignant poem by Robert Frost that captures a transformative moment in nature.
The mood and tone of the poem are both reflective and uplifting, showcasing the power of simple,
unexpected moments to change one's perspective.
1. Mood:
- The mood of the poem is initially somber and contemplative. The speaker describes being in a
despondent state, burdened by some unspecified weight. This is evident in lines 1-2: "The way a crow /
Shook down on me."
- However, the mood shifts dramatically as the poem progresses. The introduction of the "dust of snow"
creates a sense of wonder and possibility. This shift in mood is particularly noticeable in the final stanza.
2. Tone:
- The tone of the poem is introspective and meditative. The speaker reflects on their state of mind and the
sudden interruption caused by the "dust of snow" falling from a tree.
 - There's also an element of surprise and joy in the tone, especially as the speaker acknowledges the
unexpected beauty and upliftment brought about by the encounter with nature.
3. Textual Justification:
- "The way a crow / Shook down on me": These lines set a somber tone, suggesting a moment of despair
or heaviness.
- "From a hemlock tree / Has given my heart": Here, the speaker starts to introduce the transformative
moment, as the snow from the tree unexpectedly changes their mood.
- "A change of mood / And saved some part": These lines explicitly state the change in mood brought
about by the dust of snow, indicating a shift towards a more positive outlook.
- "The day": The poem ends with a sense of renewal and possibility, as the speaker embraces the small yet
significant moment of beauty in an otherwise ordinary day.
Overall, "Dust of Snow" conveys a mood of introspection and transformation, with a tone that evolves from
somber reflection to hopeful appreciation of the simple joys found in nature.
Tiger in the zoo:
"Tiger in the Zoo" by Leslie Norris is a poignant poem that explores themes of captivity, freedom, and the
natural world. The mood and tone of the poem fluctuate, reflecting the conflicting emotions of the speaker as
they observe the tiger in its confined environment.
1. Mood: The mood of the poem is primarily somber and reflective. The speaker's observations of the tiger
evoke a sense of sadness and sympathy for the animal's captivity. There's also a hint of admiration for the
tiger's beauty and strength, but it's overshadowed by the sense of confinement and loss.
2. Tone: The tone of the poem is empathetic and contemplative. The speaker empathizes with the tiger's
plight and reflects on the contrast between the tiger's natural habitat and its confined existence in the zoo.
There's a tone of resignation towards the inevitability of the tiger's captivity, coupled with a subtle critique
of human intervention in the natural world.
Textual Justification:
• "He paces in his cage, / moves through his rage" - The imagery of the pacing tiger conveys a sense of
restlessness and frustration, setting a tone of captivity and confinement. The use of the word "rage"
suggests the tiger's inherent wildness and the suppression of its natural instincts, contributing to the
somber mood.
• "What do they see? / They see / a tiger on the strand / of a Bengal beach; / they do not see his mind."
- Here, the speaker questions the perception of the spectators who view the tiger in the zoo. The tone
is contemplative as the speaker considers the limitations of human understanding and empathy
towards the tiger's mental state.
• "He should be lurking in shadow, / sliding through long grass / near the water hole / where plump
deer pass." - The description of the tiger's natural habitat creates a contrast with its current
environment in the zoo. The tone becomes wistful as the speaker imagines the freedom the tiger
should be experiencing in the wild, highlighting the sadness of its captivity.
• "They never dream he pads / in front of the keepers, / fire in his eyes, / the way a poem lumbers / like
a bear into the world." - The comparison between the tiger and a poem emphasizes the theme of
captivity and the suppression of natural instincts. The tone is poignant as the speaker likens the
tiger's constrained movements to the constrained expression of art, suggesting a sense of loss and
constraint.
Overall, the mood and tone of "Tiger in the Zoo" combine to evoke a sense of sympathy and reflection on
the impact of captivity on wild animals.
Ball Poem
"The Ball Poem" by John Berryman carries a mood that shifts from playful to somber, with tones ranging
from innocence to introspection.
1. Playful Mood: In the beginning, there's a playful mood as the speaker describes a boy playing with his
ball. Lines like "What is the boy now, who has lost his ball" evoke a sense of curiosity and innocence. The
mood here is light and carefree, much like the joy of childhood.
2. Somber Mood: As the poem progresses, the mood shifts to somber when the boy loses his ball. Lines
such as "I would not intrude on him" convey a sense of respect for the boy's sadness. The loss of the ball
becomes a metaphor for the loss of innocence or the experience of disappointment, introducing a tone of
melancholy.
3. Reflective Tone: Throughout the poem, there's a reflective tone as the speaker contemplates the boy's
experience. Lines like "the sadness of the man who has never been a boy" suggest a deeper contemplation on
the passage of time and the loss of innocence. The speaker seems to be reflecting on the universal experience
of growing up and facing disappointments.
Textual Justification:
- Playful Mood: "He is learning, well behind his desperate eyes, / the epistemology of loss, how to stand up
/ knowing what every man must one day know / and most know many days, how to stand up / and gradually
light returns to the street" - These lines show the initial playful mood as the boy learns through play and
explores the world with his ball.
- Somber Mood: "What is the boy now, who has lost his ball, / What, what is he to do? I saw it go / Merrily
bouncing, down the street, and then / Merrily over—there it is in the water!" - Here, the speaker's tone
becomes somber as he observes the boy's loss and the ball rolling into the water, signaling a moment of
disappointment and sadness.
- Reflective Tone: "The man spends many days proving to himself / that it is not lost, that he still possesses
it. / Just as he possesses his mother although / he has put her away for years" - These lines convey a
reflective tone as the speaker compares the loss of the ball to the loss of the boy's innocence and connection
to his mother, suggesting deeper themes of loss and maturity.
Overall, "The Ball Poem" navigates through various emotions, ultimately leaving the reader with a sense of
contemplation on the nature of loss and growing up.
How to tell wild animals:
The mood and tone of the poem "How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells are humorous and light-
hearted, with a touch of whimsy. The author employs playful language and rhymes to convey a sense of
amusement and entertainment. Each stanza presents a comical scenario of encountering different wild
animals and offers tongue-in-cheek advice on how to identify them.
1. Humor: The poem is filled with humorous situations and witty observations about how to recognize wild
animals. For example, the lines "If he roars at you as you’re dyin’ / You’ll know it is the Asian Lion" and "If
he eats you... / This simple rule may help you learn / The Bengal Tiger to discern" are absurdly funny in
their straightforwardness.
2. Playfulness: The playful tone is evident in the rhymes and wordplay throughout the poem. Lines such as
"He’ll only lep and lep again" and "He’ll give you just one more caress" employ playful language to
describe potentially dangerous encounters with wild animals.
3. Light-heartedness: Despite discussing potentially dangerous situations, the poem maintains a light-
hearted tone. The humorous descriptions of each animal and the exaggerated advice for identifying them
contribute to the overall sense of amusement rather than fear.
4. Whimsy: The whimsical nature of the poem is evident in its fantastical scenarios and the imaginative
ways in which the author suggests identifying wild animals. The idea of distinguishing between a crocodile
and a hyena based on their expressions, for instance, adds a whimsical touch to the poem.
Overall, the poem's mood and tone evoke laughter and amusement, making it an enjoyable and entertaining
piece of verse.
Amanda!
The tone of the poem "Amanda!" is admonishing, critical, and frustrated, while the mood is one of
constraint, juxtaposed with daydreaming escapism.
1. Tone:
- Admonishing and Critical: The repeated commands and criticisms directed at Amanda ("Don’t bite
your nails," "Stop that slouching," "Did you finish your homework," "Don’t eat that chocolate") convey a
tone of reprimand and disapproval.
- Frustrated: The tone becomes increasingly exasperated as the speaker addresses Amanda's behavior,
evident in lines like "I thought I told you to clean your shoes, Amanda!" and "Will you please look at me
when I’m speaking to you, Amanda!"
2. Mood:
- Constraint: The constant commands and criticisms create a mood of constraint and limitation for
Amanda, as she is constantly being told what she should or shouldn't do.
- Daydreaming Escapism: Interspersed with the admonishments are Amanda's daydreams, where she
imagines herself as a mermaid, an orphan, and Rapunzel. These daydreams offer a stark contrast to the
reality of Amanda's situation, suggesting a desire for escape from the constraints and pressures imposed
upon her.
Textual Examples:
- Cautioning and Critical Tone: "Don’t bite your nails, Amanda!" / "Stop that slouching and sit up straight,
Amanda!" / "Did you finish your homework, Amanda?" / "Will you please look at me when I’m speaking to
you, Amanda!"
- Frustrated Tone: "I thought I told you to clean your shoes, Amanda!" / "Anyone would think that I nagged
at you, Amanda!"
- Constraint Mood: The repetitive nature of the commands and criticisms throughout the poem creates a
mood of constraint and restriction.
- Daydreaming Escapism Mood: "There is a languid, emerald sea, where the sole inhabitant is me—a
mermaid, drifting blissfully" / "I am an orphan, roaming the street" / "I am Rapunzel, I have not a care; life
in a tower is tranquil and rare." These lines contrast the reality of Amanda's situation with her imaginative
escapism, highlighting a desire for freedom and relief from the constraints imposed upon her.
The Trees:
The tone of the poem "The Trees" by Adrienne Rich can be described as contemplative, introspective, and
somewhat melancholic. The mood evoked is one of transition, anticipation, and a sense of loss intertwined
with renewal.
1. Contemplative tone:
- "I sit inside, doors open to the veranda / writing long letters / in which I scarcely mention the departure /
of the forest from the house." These lines reflect the speaker's introspective state of mind as they write letters
while observing the departure of the trees.
2. Introspective tone:
- "My head is full of whispers / which tomorrow will be silent." Here, the speaker reflects on the fleeting
nature of their thoughts and experiences, suggesting a deeper contemplation of the transient nature of life.
3. Melancholic mood:
- "The night is fresh, the whole moon shines / in a sky still open / the smell of leaves and lichen / still
reaches like a voice into the rooms." These lines evoke a sense of melancholy as the speaker describes the
beauty of the night, which will soon be altered by the departure of the trees.
4. Mood of transition and anticipation:
- "All night the roots work / to disengage themselves from the cracks / in the veranda floor." These lines
convey a sense of anticipation and transition as the trees prepare to leave their current surroundings and
venture into the forest.
5. Mood of loss intertwined with renewal:
- "The trees inside are moving out into the forest," and "The trees are stumbling forward / into the night.
Winds rush to meet them." These lines depict the departure of the trees from the familiar environment of the
house to the unknown forest, symbolizing both loss and the potential for renewal and growth.
Overall, the poem's contemplative tone and melancholic mood capture the complex emotions associated
with change, transition, and the cyclical nature of life.
Fog:
The tone of the poem "Fog" by Carl Sandburg is calm, tranquil, and observational. The mood evoked is one
of peacefulness and serenity, with a hint of mystery and contemplation.
Textual examples supporting this interpretation include:
1. "The fog comes / on little cat feet." - This opening line sets a gentle and quiet tone, comparing the arrival
of fog to the soft, silent movements of a cat.
2. "It sits looking / over harbor and city / on silent haunches" - These lines continue the tranquil tone,
describing the fog as a silent observer, calmly enveloping both the harbor and the city.
3. "and then moves on." - This final line adds to the mood of tranquility, as the fog quietly departs, leaving
behind a sense of calm and peacefulness.
Overall, the tone of the poem is reflective and observant, while the mood is one of calmness and serenity,
with a touch of mystery and contemplation.
The Tale of Custard the Dragon:
The tone of "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" is whimsical and playful, while the mood is lighthearted with
occasional moments of suspense.
1. Whimsical Tone:
- "And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon."
- "Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose,
And realio, trulio daggers on his toes."
2. Playful Tone:
- "Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears,
 And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs,"
- "Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival,
They all sat laughing in the little red wagon"
3. Lighthearted Mood:
- "Belinda giggled till she shook the house,
And Blink said Weeck! which is giggling for a mouse,"
- "Ink and Mustard rudely asked his age,
When Custard cried for a nice safe cage."
4. Suspenseful Moment:
- "Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound,
And Mustard growled, and they all looked around."
5. Resolution with Lightheartedness:
- "Belinda embraced him, Mustard licked him,
No one mourned for his pirate victim."
- "Ink and Blink in glee did gyrate
Around the dragon that ate the pirate."
Overall, the poem maintains a whimsical and playful tone throughout, even during moments of potential
danger, creating a lighthearted mood that is both entertaining and enjoyable.
For Anne Gregory:
The tone of "For Anne Gregory" by William Butler Yeats can be described as contemplative and reflective,
while the mood is somewhat melancholic yet introspective.
1. Contemplative Tone:
- The speaker ponders the idea of being loved for oneself rather than external attributes such as hair color.
This contemplation is evident in lines like "Never shall a young man, / Thrown into despair / By those great
honey-coloured / Ramparts at your ear."
- The speaker reflects on the possibility of changing one's appearance to attract genuine love, as seen in the
lines "But I can get a hair-dye / And set such colour there."
2. Reflective Tone:
- The speaker reflects on the words of an old religious man regarding the nature of love and God's
perception of individuals. This reflection is evident in lines like "I heard an old religious man / But
yesternight declare / That he had found a text to prove."
3. Melancholic Mood:
- The mood of the poem carries a sense of sadness or melancholy, particularly in the realization that
external attributes like yellow hair may influence how one is loved. This mood is captured in lines such as
"Thrown into despair" and "That young men in despair / May love me for myself alone / And not my yellow
hair."
4. Introspective Mood:
 - The poem encourages introspection regarding the nature of love and self-worth. It prompts readers to
contemplate whether love based solely on external features is genuine. This introspective mood is evident
throughout the poem as the speaker grapples with the idea of being loved for oneself alone.
Overall, the contemplative and reflective tone coupled with the melancholic yet introspective mood of the
poem creates a profound exploration of the complexities of love and self-perception.