And he was no soft-tongued apologist;

Question

He spoke straightforward, fearlessly uncowed;
The sunlight of his truth dispelled the mist, And set in bold relief each dark-hued cloud:
To sin and crime he gave their proper hue, And hurled as evil what was evil's due.
Through good and ill report he cleaved his way
Right onward, with his face set toward the heights,
Not feared to face the foeman's dread array,—
The lash of scorn, the sting of petty spites.
He dared the lightning in the lightning's track, And answered thunder with his thunder back. When men maligned him, and their torrent wrath
In furious imprecations o'er him broke,
He kept his counsel as he kept his path;
'T was for his race, not for himself, he spoke.
He knew the import of his Master's call, And felt himself too mighty to be small. In which way does the tone of the poem express the author's intent?
1. Words of strength and power establish a forceful tone, revealing an outrage at how a public figure was treated.
2. Heroic imagery establishes an admiring tone, showing an effort to inspire reverence for a public figure.
3. Ideas of conflict and struggle establish an insistent tone, illustrating an attempt to incite others into action.

4. The theme of perseverance establishes a hopeful tone, indicating a belief that hard work breeds success.

Answer 1

The tone of the poem aligns best with option 2. Heroic imagery establishes an admiring tone, showing an effort to inspire reverence for a public figure.

Throughout the poem, the use of strong, heroic language and imagery creates a sense of admiration for the public figure described. Phrases such as "fearlessly uncowed," "the sunlight of his truth," and "dared the lightning in the lightning's track" convey a sense of strength and valor. The poem portrays the subject as a courageous and unwavering figure facing adversity, which serves to inspire reverence and respect from the reader. The overall tone reflects a celebration of the individual's steadfastness and moral clarity in the face of challenges.