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What is the tone of Walt Whitman’s “To a Locomotive in Winter”?
Quick answer:
The tone of the poem is celebratory and positive. A train, a locomotive in winter, is described by Walt Whitman in a very different way to how they are usually described by others. He admires their dependability and power in winter conditions.
How would you describe the tone and theme in Whitman's "To a Locomotive in Winter"?
From the very start of the poem "To a Locomotive in Winter" by Walt Whitman, the poet's tone is jubilant. We get the feeling he is feeling postive,almost exultant,about something - we guess it is a train because of the title. He addresses the subject directly "thee." The use opf the word "driving" for storm also has the effect of describing the power of the locomotive, which is dependable and appreciated in the very worst of times - the winter snows. Whitman continues his praise for the object of his admiration by using human attributes of power (dual throbbing/beat) such as the heart. This also gives the poem drive and movement and momentum and adds to the celebratory atmosphere . He adds the words "pant" and "roar" which add animal power elements and then goes on to describe the magnificent gleaming metal parts of the bodywork. he...
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leaves us in no doubt as to his opinion on this particular form of human technology and progress! He finishes with glad words, echoing the tone at the beginning.
The tone is one of celebration, as many of Walt Whitman's poems are. He was a great lover of life, and appreciator of people, things, beauty, strength, progress and forward movement, and that shows in his poem. The entire thing is a beautiful and interesting description of the beauty and mighty power of a train, and a tone of respect, admiration, awe and celebration certainly come through as he hails and praises all of the parts and power of a locomotive. The theme falls along these lines also--it is a theme of reverence for the strength and might of the train. He wishes to incorporate its "madly-whistled laughter" and its "fierce-throated beauty" into his poem itself; he wants to have its power and force in his words, to barrel them forward with the same determination.
There is a definite and interesting theme of finding beauty in machines--this is something that poets before him really didn't focus on. They tended to focus on nature, god, and the beauty that can be found outside, in birds, clouds, etc. Whitman, in a bold move, instead praises and touts the beauty of a man-made and very noticable machine that cuts across nature's landscape. To relish a machine was not a very "romantic" thing to write a poem about, but, the theme of finding admiration and power in such a machine is strong in Whitman's poem. He shows his unique talent of finding what is admirable in things that often, other people overlook, and that was a major anthem in all of his poems. I hope that helped; good luck!