Grendel

by John Gardner

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:

The tone of Grendel's first-person narration sounds urbane and thoughtful, discerning and passionate, violent but intentional. He frames himself as the tragic, suffering antihero whose innate need for killing makes him an outcast, a "pointless, ridiculous monster."