1. Cynical and Mocking: The poem begins with a sardonic tone, mocking the shallowness and superficiality of "pretty words" that are often used to express love and affection. The speaker is clearly disillusioned with such insincerity, and her language reflects this through irony and sarcasm.
2. Bitter and Resentful: There's a sense of bitterness and resentment throughout the poem. The speaker feels betrayed by the empty words she has been subjected to, and her tone reflects this pain. This bitterness is evident in lines like "They made my heart a little grave, / To hold their pretty words in."
3. Melancholy and Reflective: The poem also possesses a melancholic and reflective quality. The speaker contemplates the impact of these meaningless words on her life, and her tone becomes introspective and wistful. This is particularly evident in lines like "I have been taught to love the sound / Of pretty words, and the sense / That lies behind them, none profound."
4. Detached and Distant: The speaker maintains a certain level of detachment throughout the poem, observing the situation with a critical and almost detached eye. This distance contributes to the overall ironic and cynical tone.
5. Ultimately Defiant: Despite the cynicism and bitterness, the poem ends on a note of defiance. The speaker realizes the futility of expecting genuine emotion from "pretty words" and resolves to find solace in something more substantial.
Overall, the tone of "Pretty Words" is a complex blend of cynicism, bitterness, melancholy, and defiance. It reflects the speaker's disillusionment with empty gestures and the desire for genuine connection and meaning.