Class 10 English: Understanding Poet’s and Author’s Tone – CBSE Tips, Common Tones & PYQs
Introduction
In the Class 10 English paper, tone-based questions often confuse students. You might face a question like:
- “What is the poet’s tone in these lines?” or
- “Which word best describes the poet’s attitude here?”
Such questions check your interpretation skills, not just memory. Understanding tone means identifying the poet’s emotion, attitude, or viewpoint behind the words.
Let’s learn how to master these questions step by step with detailed tone explanations, poem-wise tone lists, and real board-style examples.
What is a Poet’s or Author’s Tone?
The tone refers to the writer’s attitude or emotional approach toward the subject or audience.
It can be serious, humorous, ironic, hopeful, nostalgic, or reflective depending on the context.
In literature:
- Poet’s tone → Emotion behind the poem.
- Author’s tone → The writer’s attitude expressed through words or narration.
How to Identify the Poet’s Tone in Questions
Follow these 5 simple steps to identify tone in board exams:
| Step | Strategy | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read the lines carefully | Note if the lines express happiness, sadness, or surprise. |
| 2 | Look for emotion words or imagery | Words like “alone,” “sorrow,” “delight,” “calm,” “regret” guide you. |
| 3 | Identify repetition or contrast | Repetition often strengthens emotion; contrast can suggest irony. |
| 4 | Check poet’s purpose | Is the poet admiring nature, criticizing society, or expressing fear? |
| 5 | Relate tone with theme | Example: Nature poems → Calm/Admiring tone; War poems → Serious/Tragic tone. |
Chart: Common Literary Tones in Poetry
| Tone Type | Description | Example Word/Emotion |
|---|---|---|
| Optimistic | Shows hope and positivity | Hopeful, Confident |
| Pessimistic | Negative or hopeless | Despairing, Sad |
| Sarcastic/Ironic | Hidden mockery | Mocking, Critical |
| Sympathetic | Understanding others’ pain | Compassionate |
| Reflective | Deep thought and realization | Thoughtful |
| Rebellious | Against control or authority | Defiant |
| Humorous | Funny and light-hearted | Amusing |
| Regretful | Feeling sorry | Apologetic |
| Joyful | Full of happiness | Cheerful |
| Serious/Concerned | Grave or worried | Cautious |
| Patriotic | Love for country | Proud |
| Philosophical | Based on wisdom or truth | Wise, Meditative |
Major Poetic Tones in Class 10 English First Flight Poems
Let’s go poem-by-poem from First Flight (CBSE Class 10 English Book) and analyze the most common tones used by each poet.
1. Dust of Snow – Robert Frost
- Tone: Hopeful, Reflective
- Explanation: The poet expresses how a small moment in nature changes his mood, showing positivity and realization.
- Sample Question:
Answer: Reflective and optimistic, as he realizes that even a small act can brighten one’s day.
2. Fire and Ice – Robert Frost
- Tone: Philosophical, Warning
- Explanation: The poet discusses destructive human emotions — desire and hatred.
- Sample Question (PYQ 2021):
Answer: The tone is philosophical and cautionary, as the poet reflects on how human emotions can destroy the world.
3. A Tiger in the Zoo – Leslie Norris
- Tone: Sad, Sympathetic, and Critical
- Explanation: The poet compares the tiger’s natural freedom to its captivity, criticizing human cruelty.
- Sample Question:
Answer: The tone is sympathetic and sorrowful; the poet feels pity for the tiger’s imprisonment.
4. How to Tell Wild Animals – Carolyn Wells
- Tone: Humorous and Playful
- Explanation: The poet playfully describes dangerous wild animals with exaggerated humor.
- Sample Question (PYQ 2020):
Answer: The tone is humorous and ironic, as the poet makes danger sound funny.
5. The Ball Poem – John Berryman
- Tone: Serious, Reflective, and Sad
- Explanation: The poem shows a boy learning about loss and responsibility.
- Sample Question:
Answer: The tone is serious and reflective as the poet highlights emotional growth through loss.
6. Amanda! – Robin Klein
- Tone: Rebellious, Frustrated, and Imaginative
- Explanation: Amanda feels trapped by parental control and imagines freedom.
- Sample Question (PYQ 2022):
Answer: The tone is defiant and imaginative, showing her desire for independence.
7. The Trees – Adrienne Rich
- Tone: Hopeful, Determined, and Symbolic
- Explanation: The poet expresses the freedom of nature as trees “move out” of human control.
- Sample Question (PYQ 2019):
Answer: The tone is hopeful and liberating, symbolizing nature’s reclaiming of freedom.
8. Fog – Carl Sandburg
- Tone: Calm, Mysterious, and Observant
- Explanation: The poet personifies fog as a silent cat, making it mysterious yet peaceful.
- Sample Question:
Answer: The tone is quiet and mysterious, depicting nature’s subtle movements.
9. The Tale of Custard the Dragon – Ogden Nash
- Tone: Humorous, Playful, and Ironical
- Explanation: The poet uses fun and irony to teach about courage and appearances.
- Sample Question (PYQ 2023):
Answer: The tone is humorous and ironic, showing how real bravery often lies behind modesty.
10. For Anne Gregory – W.B. Yeats
- Tone: Philosophical, Gentle, and Realistic
- Explanation: The poet reflects on inner beauty versus outward appearance.
- Sample Question:
Q. What is the poet’s tone towards beauty in the poem?
Answer: The tone is thoughtful and philosophical, emphasizing that true love values inner beauty.
Previous Year Tone-Based Questions (PYQs)
| Year | Question | Correct Tone/Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | What is the tone of the poet in “The Trees”? | Hopeful and symbolic |
| 2020 | How does the poet present humor in “How to Tell Wild Animals”? | Playful and ironic |
| 2021 | What tone is expressed in “Fire and Ice”? | Philosophical and warning |
| 2022 | What is Amanda’s tone in her responses? | Rebellious and imaginative |
| 2023 | What is the poet’s tone in “The Tale of Custard the Dragon”? | Humorous and ironic |
Sample Board Pattern Questions
Q1. The poet’s tone in “A Tiger in the Zoo” can best be described as:
a) Joyful
b) Angry
c) Sympathetic
d) Indifferent
Answer: c) Sympathetic
Q2. Which tone does the poem “The Ball Poem” convey?
a) Humorous
b) Reflective
c) Sarcastic
d) Optimistic
Answer: b) Reflective
Q3. In “Fire and Ice”, the poet’s tone is:
a) Warning and Philosophical
b) Fearful and Sad
c) Hopeful and Cheerful
d) Indifferent
Answer: a) Warning and Philosophical
Q4. The tone of the poem “Amanda!” reflects Amanda’s:
a) Obedience
b) Frustration
c) Ignorance
d) Joy
Answer: b) Frustration
Q5. The poet’s tone in “Animals” is:
a) Critical
b) Admiring
c) Disappointed
d) Angry
Answer: b) Admiring
Conclusion
Understanding the poet’s tone is not about memorizing lines but feeling the poet’s emotion.
Tone-based questions are frequent in CBSE Class 10 English exams, especially in First Flight poems.
By identifying emotional words, imagery, and the poet’s purpose, you can easily score full marks in these interpretative literature questions.
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