Go Set a Watchman

by Harper Lee

Go Set a Watchman: 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
Part 2, Chapter 5
Explanation and Analysis:

The tone of the novel takes on the character traits of its narrator, Jean Louise: strong, fierce, and stubborn but also contemplative and even indecisive. She is especially uncertain about the idea of moving back home and marrying Henry, which she wavers on throughout the novel. At the end of Part 2, Chapter 5, she reflects on this during their swim date: 

With her head on his shoulder, Jean Louise was content. It might work after all, she thought. But I am not domestic. I don't even know how to run a cook. What do ladies say to each other when they go visiting? I'd have to wear a hat. I'd drop the babies and kill 'em.

Part 5, Chapter 13
Explanation and Analysis:

The tone of the novel takes on the character traits of its narrator, Jean Louise: strong, fierce, and stubborn but also contemplative and even indecisive. She is especially uncertain about the idea of moving back home and marrying Henry, which she wavers on throughout the novel. At the end of Part 2, Chapter 5, she reflects on this during their swim date: 

With her head on his shoulder, Jean Louise was content. It might work after all, she thought. But I am not domestic. I don't even know how to run a cook. What do ladies say to each other when they go visiting? I'd have to wear a hat. I'd drop the babies and kill 'em.

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