Flowers for Algernon
by Daniel Keyes

Flowers for Algernon: Tone 1 key example

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
Tone
Explanation and Analysis:

Flowers for Algernon uses a first-person narrative voice that closely follows Charlie’s changing state of mind throughout the story. All of the novel’s writing is from Charlie’s perspective. At the beginning, Charlie’s childish voice sounds hopeful and naive. He trusts the people around him, believes in the promise of the surgery and the good intentions of his doctors, and tries as hard as he can to please others. Even when all of his companions treat him unkindly, Charlie does not question their motives because he’s not smart enough to see what they’re really doing. The blithe, trusting tone of the novel’s beginning matches his innocence.