POETRY TONE

The Tone of Poetry

[Instructor name]

Answer no. 1

The setting of the poem “The children's hour” is unique. The poem is set in calm surroundings of a house, of the poet (Longfellow, 1839). The setting of the house of the poet appears to be rural as he mentions the bishop who he thinks about while he also thinks about the bishop in his cathedral. He says “Till I think of the bishop of Bingen, In his Mouse-Tower on the Rhine.” This proves that the cathedral is located in a rustic setting and also exists somewhere in the near of the house.

Further, the setting of the poem reveals that the house of the poet where he is sitting in his turret is big. He says: “They climb up into my turret”. Also, he says: “Descending the broad hall stair.” Further he says that the children come from a big hall from the upstairs. He says: “I hear in the chamber above me.” This proves that the house of the poet is a big mansion in the old countryside of England or Europe. However, the history shows that the poet was born in the USA in Portland, Maine (Poets, 2012). Although he briefly visited Europe and also stayed for a year in Germany and Switzerland, it does not appear that the American poet describes a setting which should be in Europe. He did most of his poetry in US and consequently we can safely assume that the setting is also of rural US.

There is a certain feeling of happiness and charm when reading this poem. The setting is very quite and comforting. Additionally, the poet is talking about none other than children. The serenity of the environment coupled with the idyllic surroundings of the house makes one feel at home with the poet.

Answer no. 2

The father in the poem has very loving relationship with his children. He is very affectionate about them and dotes on them very much. The father is so loving of his children that he describes his anxiety and waiting to see that hour of the night time when he will be with his children. He terms this time as that of his children. He says: “Comes a pause in the day's occupation, That is known as the Children's hour.”

His love for his children is no secret. He loves them and, therefore, the children love their father. Consequently, they kiss him and gather around him and caress and care about their father. He says: “They almost devour me with kisses, Their arms about me entwine.” He further says that they are not letting him go in all the love between a father and his three children. He says: “If I try to escape, they surround me; They seem to be everywhere.” This last part of the clause shows that he is totally engrossed in their love and enamoured with them such that he finds them everywhere and not capable of forgetting.

As the father is in true love with his children, accordingly ...