from The Land of Beginning Again

Question

By Louisa Fletcher Tarkington
I wish there were some wonderful place
Called the Land of Beginning Again,
Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches,
And all our poor, selfish grieves1
Could be dropped, like a shabby2 old coat, at the door,
And never put on again.
We would find the things we intended to do,
But forgot and remembered too late--
Little praises unspoken, little promises broken,
And all of the thousand and one
Little duties neglected3 that might have perfected
The days of one less fortunate.
So I wish that there were some wonderful place
Called the Land of Beginning Again,
Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches,
And all our poor, selfish grieves
Could be dropped, like a ragged old coat, at the door,
And never put on again.

1. grieves: to feel very sad about something
2. shabby: torn, worn, in poor condition
3. neglected: failed to care for something

What is the speaker's tone use text evedence

Answer 1

The speaker's tone in "The Land of Beginning Again" is one of longing and wistfulness. This is conveyed through the desire for a place where past mistakes and heartaches can be left behind. The repeated phrase, "I wish there were some wonderful place," highlights a deep yearning for an escape from the burdens of the past.

Text evidence supporting this tone includes phrases like "all our mistakes and all our heartaches," which suggests a sense of sorrow and regret over the speaker's experiences. Additionally, the imagery of dropping "shabby old coat[s] at the door" emphasizes a desire to shed the weight of past grievances and disappointments. The repetition of the desire for a "wonderful place" further reinforces the speaker's hopefulness that such a refuge could exist, creating a bittersweet contrast between reality and the dream of renewal.