Question

In the context of poetry, what is the best definition of tone?

the reader’s response to the emotions in the poem
the speaker’s attitude toward the subject of the poem
the use of alliteration, repetition, rhythm, and rhyme
the use of words that sound like the things they denote

Answer 1

the speaker’s attitude toward the subject of the poem

Tone refers to the poet/speaker's attitude or feeling about the poem’s subject, conveyed through word choice, phrasing, and style. The other choices describe reader response, sound devices, or onomatopoeia, not tone.