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.
Criteria | Mark | Feedback |
A: Understanding &
Interpretation | 5 | The writer effectively explores the poem's intricate use of tone and its impact on meaning and reader experience. They provide insightful analysis, particularly in their examination of how Thomas establishes a tone of desolation, characterizes the owl's cry, and captures the speaker's sense of survivor's guilt. The essay effectively connects these elements to broader themes of resilience, empathy, and the contrast between comfort and suffering. |
B: Analysis & Evaluation | 5 | The analysis and evaluation are thorough and supported by specific examples from the text. The writer effectively unpacks the nuances of tone and imagery, demonstrating a keen insight into the poem's emotional and thematic depth. They provide thoughtful reflections on the implications of Thomas's choices, prompting readers to consider the parallels between the speaker's experience and the broader human condition. |
C: Coherence, Focus, & Organization | 5 | The essay maintains coherence, focus, and organization throughout, with clear transitions between ideas and paragraphs. Each point builds logically on the previous one, contributing to a cohesive argument about the significance of tone in shaping the poem's meaning and impact. The structure allows for a comprehensive exploration of the poem's themes and the ways in which tone reinforces them. |
D: Language | 5 | The essay is articulate and effectively conveys the writer's ideas. They use precise language to analyze the nuances of tone and imagery, enhancing the reader's understanding of the poem. The writing is clear and engaging, maintaining the reader's interest while delving into complex literary analysis |
20 / 20 |