The Speaker

The speaker in Dietz's poem "November" closely observes the way that different species respond to the changing temperature and light as winter approaches. Adopting the theatrical persona of a show host, the speaker announces October's end. This casual and slightly humorous register shifts into a more contemplative tone when the speaker reflects on whether she loved October's ephemeral beauty enough. Without judging humans for wanting to slow down and watch TV, the speaker notes that humans, like all other animals, also experience seasonal shifts. Overall, the speaker uses humor and impartial witnessing to honor the natural rhythms brought about by seasonal transitions.

The Reader

The speaker directly speaks to readers in the opening line: "Show's over, folks." This friendly and relaxed address contributes to the speaker's emcee persona. This is the only time in the poem where readers are directly referenced.

October

Dietz personifies October as having...