Definition of Tone
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical, and so on. For instance... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical... read full definition
Key Examples in As I Lay Dying
4. Jewel
Explanation and Analysis:
The tone of As I Lay Dying varies depending on which character is narrating, since all of them have different motivations and outlooks on life. Of the core family group (with the exception of Vardaman), all of the book's narrators are a bit cynical and distrustful of others. Their narrations are mired in skepticism and reservations about the good intentions of other people—and even about themselves at times. The family are pariahs in Jefferson, and the guardedness this causes is ever-present in the text.