home
Mission
/////
home
/////

Examples

Search
Grade 5
Grade 6

Grade 7

Edward Thomas's "The Owl" stands as a testament to the profound influence of tone in poetry, particularly in shaping the emotional landscape and thematic depth of the work. Through the subtle nuances of tone, Thomas crafts a narrative that explores themes of resilience, empathy, and the stark contrast between comfort and suffering. This essay will uncover the poem’s intricate use of tone and its impact on meaning and reader experience.
Consider the way Thomas establishes a tone of desolation from the opening lines. The speaker's journey downhill, described as "hungry, and yet not starved," and "Cold, yet had heat within me," evokes a sense of deprivation and solitude. These juxtapositions of hunger and satiety, coldness and warmth, serves to provide us with the sense that the speaker is clearly going through a challenging experience, teetering on the edge of comfort and desperation. In this respect, the tone in these two lines sets the stage for an exploration of hardship and resilience in the face of adversity. Thomas goes on to write, “Against the North wind; tired, yet so that rest/ Had seemed the sweetest thing under a roof,” which further reinforces the tone of desolation while introducing a glimmer of hope and comfort. Despite the exhaustion, the speaker finds solace in the prospect of rest. The mentioning of the wind, an aspect of nature that we may need respite from, and the much awaited rest and the roof he’s under that can provide that rest serve to deepen the atmosphere of hardship and the longing for refuge. Such is how Thomas incorporates juxtaposition of the harshness of the North wind against the warmth and comfort of shelter to underscore the speaker's vulnerability and the precariousness of their situation.
Note also how Thomas characterizes the owl’s “melancholy cry:”  “Shaken out long and clear upon the hill/No merry note, nor cause of merriment.” Here Thomas uses tone to evoke a sense of foreboding and melancholy. The owl's cry is described as "melancholy," emphasizing its mournful quality and adding to the atmosphere of desolation established earlier in the poem. The image of the cry being "shaken out long and clear upon the hill" conjures a vivid picture of the owl's mournful call echoing through the barren landscape, further intensifying the sense of isolation and unease. A sense of hopelessness is captured in the apparent lack of merriment, which hints at how the owl’s plight, having to fend for itself in the wild, mirrors the soldiers' struggles during times of war given that there’s a constant sense of uncertainty regarding survival in both cases. In this manner, Thomas uses somber tone and vivid imagery to prompt readers to contemplate the parallels between the speaker's experience of deprivation and the owl's cry of melancholy, thus eliciting empathy and reflection on the broader human condition.
Furthermore, note what Thomas captures in these lines: 'But one telling me plain what I escaped And others could not, that night, as in I went." What’s evident is a profound sense of survivor's guilt and awareness of the suffering experienced by others. The speaker reflects on the contrast between their own relatively fortunate circumstances and the hardships endured by those less fortunate. The phrase "But one telling me plain what I escaped" suggests that the speaker recognizes the gravity of their situation and acknowledges the hardships they have avoided. This awareness is juxtaposed with the realization that others, represented by the owl's cry, are not as fortunate and continue to endure suffering. The phrase "And others could not, that night, as in I went" emphasizes the speaker's sense of guilt and responsibility, as they are able to seek refuge and comfort while others remain in distress. Such is how the tone here highlights empathy, survivor's guilt, and the recognition of privilege as Thomas gives readers a reason to reflect on their own obligations to those who suffer. Also, Thomas uses  "salted" in the final stanza to describe both the food and the repose suggests a sense of bitterness or harshness, contrasting with the initial glimmer of hope introduced earlier in the poem. This bitterness is further emphasized by the description of the bird's voice as "salted and sobered," implying a solemnity and seriousness that pervades the speaker's thoughts. The mention of "all who lay under the stars/Soldiers and poor, unable to rejoice" expands the scope of the poem's themes to encompass a broader human experience. The tone in these lines conveys a sense of solidarity with those who suffer, as well as a recognition of the shared hardships endured by soldiers and the less fortunate. In this fashion, Thomas uses tone to motivate readers to consider their own role in alleviating the suffering of others and to acknowledge the complexities of finding comfort in the face of adversity.
As examined, Edward Thomas's "The Owl" eloquently demonstrates the profound impact of tone in his poem given the way he adeptly shapes the emotional landscape and thematic depth of the work. Thomas’s use of somber tones and vivid imagery encapsulates themes of resilience, empathy, and the stark contrast between comfort and suffering. The poem's exploration of these themes, coupled with its creative use of tone, leaves an indelible mark on the reader, thus prompting introspection and reflection on the broader human condition.
Text A
Grade 5
Grade 6

Grade 7

Grief and loss can be expressed in various ways. In Eleanor Farjeon’s poem “Easter Monday (In Memoriam E.T.),” Farjeon pays a heartfelt tribute to her friend Edward Thomas, who perished in World War I. Through the deliberate use of imagery, Farjeon crafts a poignant narrative that captures the delicate balance between joy and sorrow, the warmth of cherished memories, and the cold finality of loss. This essay will explore how Farjeon’s imagery conveys her profound emotions, bringing to life the enduring impact of war on personal relationships.
The poem opens with a recollection of a letter from France, wherein Thomas thanks Farjeon for a “silver Easter egg” she had hidden in a “box of apples.” This imagery is rich with connotations of care and affection. The silver egg, a symbol of purity and preciousness, nestled among apples—representing everyday sustenance and simplicity—evokes a sense of thoughtful intimacy. Farjeon’s act of hiding the egg among the apples is a small but significant gesture of love, meant to bring a moment of delight and surprise to her friend amid the grim realities of war. The image of Thomas munching on apples, described as his favorite fruit, adds a layer of personal detail that humanizes him, making the loss more tangible. The fact that Farjeon knows that apples are his favorite further adds to the sense of intimacy as it portrays a moment of simple pleasure and normalcy, standing in stark contrast to the backdrop of the impending battle. This initial scene sets up a poignant contrast that runs throughout the poem, highlighting the intrusion of war into the sphere of ordinary, peaceful life.
Also, consider the stark, foreboding imagery as the poem transitions to the eve of battle. The tone noticeably shifts, marked by Thomas’s words: “This is the eve. / Good-bye. And may I have a letter soon.” The term “eve” suggests a moment of calm before the storm, a brief pause before the onset of violence. The casual yet poignant farewell, coupled with the request for a letter, underscores the uncertainty and peril of his situation. This shift is underscored by the repetition of the phrase “It was such a lovely morning,” first spoken by Thomas and then echoed by Farjeon. This refrain serves as a bridge between their shared experiences, despite the physical and situational distance. In this respect, the refrain emphasizes the fleeting nature of peace and beauty in the shadow of war, thus enhancing the sense of impending loss.
Furthermore, Farjeon mirrors Thomas’s experience by recounting her own activities on that same Easter Monday: “In our garden / We sowed our earliest seeds, and in the orchard / The apple-bud was ripe.” The act of sowing seeds symbolizes hope, renewal, and the continuity of life—a stark contrast to the destructive nature of war. The image of the ripening apple-bud parallels the hidden Easter egg, which suggests a natural cycle of growth and rebirth that persists even in times of turmoil. This parallel imagery serves to deepen the emotional resonance of the poem given the way it highlights the connection between Farjeon and Thomas, thus emphasizing that while they were separated by distance and circumstance, their lives were still intertwined through shared experiences and memories. In this fashion, we see how Farjeon’s use of imagery as evidenced by the incorporation of the garden and orchard, which serve as settings of growth and potential, stand in contrast to the battlefield, a place of destruction and death.
The culmination of the poem’s imagery is found in its final, devastating line: “There are three letters that you will not get.” This blunt statement shatters the idyllic imagery that preceded it, bringing the reader face-to-face with the brutal reality of war’s finality. The three undelivered letters symbolize the broken lines of communication and the unfulfilled promises of return, thereby underscoring the permanence of Thomas’s absence. What’s worthy of note is the subdued manner in which grief is expressed given how the simple statement of a fact alone speaks volumes. In this regard, Farjeon’s use of letters as imagery serves as a poignant reminder of the personal connections severed by war. The letters, once a source of hope and continuity, now represent her irrevocable loss. This final image leaves a profound impact as it encapsulates Farjeon’s grief and the stark contrast between the potential for life and growth depicted in the earlier garden imagery and the harsh reality of death.
As examined, Eleanor Farjeon’s “Easter Monday” makes effective use of imagery to convey a rich tapestry of emotions, from the warmth of nostalgia and the tenderness of shared memories to the sorrow of loss and the finality of death brought by war. Through vivid and evocative scenes, Farjeon captures the intimate details of her friendship with Edward Thomas and the broader implications of war’s impact on personal relationships. The imagery not only paints a vivid picture but also deepens the reader’s emotional engagement, making the poem a powerful tribute to a fallen friend and a poignant reflection on the enduring scars of war.
Text B