PLOt #7: Diction

An authors choice of words when writing are done so carefully, in any literary work, to convey a certain meaning and to communicate a certain tone and attitude.  An authors correct use of diction often enables the reader to see into the 'heart' of the poet, empowering him or her with a sense of knowing.  In 'Traveling though the Dark', William Stafford's use of diction not only allows the reader to understand the tone and attitude of Stafford, but also often has the ability to make the reader feel the same way.  In "Traveling through the Dark", as the pot encounters the dead doe in the middle of the street, all his actions come to a halt.  As he approached the doe, and finds our she was pregnant, Stafford's diction illustrates the natural feeling of sorrow within a human.  Even though the poet had no relation to the doe, and even though it was just a doe, and not a human, the poet understands the meaning of life, even to a doe.  With this said, speaker also recognizes the importance of bearing a child, and the meaning that a child has to its mother.  "My fingers touching her side brought me the reason me the reason- her side was warm; her fawn lay there waiting, alive, still, never to be born.  Beside that mountain road I hesitated".  Stafford's use of depressing diction is very unique.  First, his use of simple words such as "never" have a drastic affect on the tone and mood of the poem.  Moreover, the word "never" brings into light the severity of the accident, and how this doe will not only never meet her child.  Subsequently, something that is more interesting is how the speaker almost feels angry for the doe; this innocent animal did not even have to chance to stand up for herself or see her offspring.  An author's use of diction has the ability to create a tone that not only permeates through out the poem, but also is recognizable by the reader.