Final answer:
The poem "My Father’s Song" by Simon Ortiz is characterized by a nostalgic tone, as seen in the speaker's warm reflections on past experiences with their father, and the absence of irony or sadness that would indicate different emotions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tone of Simon Ortiz's poem, "My Father’s Song," can be described as B) Nostalgic. This is evident through the speaker's reflections on memories of their father, suggesting a longing for the past. Throughout the poem, the speaker recalls intimate and personal moments that convey a deep sense of fondness and reverence for the father's presence and the lessons learned from him. The poem paints a picture of a father teaching his child about life and the natural world, weaving together the past with the emotional present of the speaker. The use of descriptive, sensory language and the tender recollection of shared experiences between father and child evoke a tone of reminiscence that is characteristic of nostalgia. Notably, the poem does not employ any irony or overtly cheerful or melancholic imagery that would suggest the tones of joy, melancholy, or irony. Instead, the speaker's attitude towards both the mother and father is one of respect and affection, reflecting on the father's responsibilities with gratitude, rather than sadness or satire.