Frankenstein

by Mary Shelley

Frankenstein: 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
Letter 1
Explanation and Analysis:

Unsurprising given its dark subject matter, the tone of Frankenstein is largely bleak and despairing. The story, however, opens optimistically from Captain Robert Walton’s perspective. Writing a letter to his sister Margaret, he expresses excitement and optimism for his journey ahead:

What may not be expected in a country of eternal light? [...] I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man. These are my enticements, and they are sufficient to conquer all fear of danger or death, and to induce me to commence this laborious voyage with the joy a child feels when he embarks in a little boat, with his holiday mates, on an expedition of discovery up his native river.

Letter 4
Explanation and Analysis:

Unsurprising given its dark subject matter, the tone of Frankenstein is largely bleak and despairing. The story, however, opens optimistically from Captain Robert Walton’s perspective. Writing a letter to his sister Margaret, he expresses excitement and optimism for his journey ahead:

What may not be expected in a country of eternal light? [...] I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man. These are my enticements, and they are sufficient to conquer all fear of danger or death, and to induce me to commence this laborious voyage with the joy a child feels when he embarks in a little boat, with his holiday mates, on an expedition of discovery up his native river.

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Chapter 6
Explanation and Analysis:

Unsurprising given its dark subject matter, the tone of Frankenstein is largely bleak and despairing. The story, however, opens optimistically from Captain Robert Walton’s perspective. Writing a letter to his sister Margaret, he expresses excitement and optimism for his journey ahead:

What may not be expected in a country of eternal light? [...] I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man. These are my enticements, and they are sufficient to conquer all fear of danger or death, and to induce me to commence this laborious voyage with the joy a child feels when he embarks in a little boat, with his holiday mates, on an expedition of discovery up his native river.

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Chapter 7
Explanation and Analysis:

Unsurprising given its dark subject matter, the tone of Frankenstein is largely bleak and despairing. The story, however, opens optimistically from Captain Robert Walton’s perspective. Writing a letter to his sister Margaret, he expresses excitement and optimism for his journey ahead:

What may not be expected in a country of eternal light? [...] I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man. These are my enticements, and they are sufficient to conquer all fear of danger or death, and to induce me to commence this laborious voyage with the joy a child feels when he embarks in a little boat, with his holiday mates, on an expedition of discovery up his native river.

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Chapter 24
Explanation and Analysis:

Unsurprising given its dark subject matter, the tone of Frankenstein is largely bleak and despairing. The story, however, opens optimistically from Captain Robert Walton’s perspective. Writing a letter to his sister Margaret, he expresses excitement and optimism for his journey ahead:

What may not be expected in a country of eternal light? [...] I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man. These are my enticements, and they are sufficient to conquer all fear of danger or death, and to induce me to commence this laborious voyage with the joy a child feels when he embarks in a little boat, with his holiday mates, on an expedition of discovery up his native river.

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