She also incorporates symbols to hide the true message of her words. For example, in line twelve, the speaker uses the phrase "bird suit" to symbolize the stereotype linked to women as being seductive. Overall, the diction in each of these two poems are very different, not in the meaning, but in the style and technique. The diction is crucial in determining the tone of the speaker.
The tone of a passage is usually dependant on the perspective of the speaker. In Odyssey, there is a dramatic tone, which creates an intense atmosphere and is able to capture the attention of the reader; whereas in Siren Song the tone is one of mystique which eventually shifts to a seductive tone. Homer's dramatic tone in Odyssey is consistent throughout the poem and it is used to build up Odysseus" character into a heroic figure, one who sacrifices his own welfare for that of his crew members. With the constant reference to himself in the first person, it is obvious that Odysseus is exaggerating the intensity of the situation. Atwood chooses to have the speaker's tone shift throughout the poem. The poem begins with a casual tone where the siren is just explaining the song with generally no emotion, but in the third stanza, there is a shift to a tone of torment. From lines ten to twelve the siren says "Shall I tell you a secret and if I do, will you get me out of this bird suit?" This sparks the reader's curiosity, exactly what the siren wants, and thus it is the beginning of the complete seduction of the man. The tone of the speaker in each of these two poems is crucial in getting the message across to the reader.
Another element which allows the reader to grasp the portraits of the sirens is the imagery. Sensory imagery is essential in completely experiencing the poem Odyssey. This type of imagery is applied to make the reader feel more involved in the setting of the poem, especially the auditory imagery in this case.
