The Use of Tone and Metaphors in Pastan’s “Marks” Linda Pastan’s poem “Marks” is unusual because it addresses the frustrations of a typical housewife. Few people consider being a wife and mother a full-time job in itself, and it is not uncommon for a woman who plays both of these roles to feel overworked and unappreciated. What is unusual about Pastan’s poem is the way she effectively conveys these sentiments by the …showed first 75 words of 605 total…

…showed last 75 words of 605 total…her speaker’s family relations to school grades is effective in showing the speaker’s attitude of indifference. The use of informal diction is helpful in establishing the dull, ordinary tone of the poem, and also further develops the character of the speaker. This poem presents readers with ordinary circumstances, yet it gives them a different way of viewing them. It suggests that maybe a grade of A should be given for effort more often.