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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
Book 1, Chapter 14
Explanation and Analysis:
The tone of Hard Times is witty and sympathetic. The narrator oscillates between a funnier, more satirical mode when discussing utilitarianism and its adherents (Bounderby, Gradgrind), and a more empathetic, even sentimental tone when discussing the victims of the ideology (Louisa, Sissy, Rachael, Stephen, etc.).
The narrator consistently mocks figures of authority. Consider how the book mocks Gradgrind’s ascension to the role of a Member of Parliament in Book 1, Chapter 14:
Time [...] made him Member of Parliament for Coketown: one of the respected members for ounce weights and measures, one of the representatives of the multiplication table, one of the deaf honorable gentlemen, dumb honorable gentlemen, blind honorable gentlemen [...] to every other consideration. Else wherefore live we in a Christian land, eighteen hundred and odd years after our Master?
Related Themes:
Book 3, Chapter 6
Explanation and Analysis:
The tone of Hard Times is witty and sympathetic. The narrator oscillates between a funnier, more satirical mode when discussing utilitarianism and its adherents (Bounderby, Gradgrind), and a more empathetic, even sentimental tone when discussing the victims of the ideology (Louisa, Sissy, Rachael, Stephen, etc.).
The narrator consistently mocks figures of authority. Consider how the book mocks Gradgrind’s ascension to the role of a Member of Parliament in Book 1, Chapter 14:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Time [...] made him Member of Parliament for Coketown: one of the respected members for ounce weights and measures, one of the representatives of the multiplication table, one of the deaf honorable gentlemen, dumb honorable gentlemen, blind honorable gentlemen [...] to every other consideration. Else wherefore live we in a Christian land, eighteen hundred and odd years after our Master?
Related Themes:
