Tone and Mood

The tone and mood of a literary piece are quintessential in understanding the author's message. In To An Athlete Dying Young by A.E. Housman, the speaker's tone is more celebratory than mourning which helps the reader comprehend that the athlete dying young now is better than him suffering because he lived past his prime. Similarly, Maxine Kumin's poem, Woodchucks, demonstrates a light and humorous tone while describing a tragic event. Dark humor allows for the reader to reevaluate his or her views on death on a small scale (killing woodchucks) or on a grander scale (genocide). Diction contrasting with tone and mood makes the message more significant.