The tone of Lady Audley's Secret is as labyrinthine as its plot. Overall, it might be described as a journey from lightheartedness and playfulness to critical introspection and a call for careful moral consideration. The narrator consistently provides commentary about the events of the plot, giving readers a wry take on the event in question.
The novel begins deceptively, lulling the readers into a false sense of fluff. Its initial lightness sometimes feels like it’s bordering on the trivial, as the author lists expensive things and petty actions. Braddon’s early chapters have an almost whimsical air: the events seem fantastical and melodramatic, and the narrator’s voice is drenched in hyperbole. This over-the-top portrayal feels both lighthearted and exaggerated. It’s as if the narrator is setting the scene as colorfully as they can before dimming the lights.
However, as layers of the story unfold and secrets begin to emerge, there's an abrupt tonal shift. The previously playful narrative grows darker and much more intense, mirroring the weight of the unfolding revelations about Lucy’s past. This tonal contrast between the beginning and middle of the story serves to heighten the many moments of interlocked drama. This makes each twist seem even more shocking than the last.
Throughout the book, the narrator subtly critiques the restrictive Victorian societal norms that limit people who don't have direct access to power. This is particularly the case in moments concerning women's roles and choices. These moments are tinged with a discernibly critical tone, as the novel doesn't shy away from highlighting the constraints and injustices faced by women during this period. Although the narrator doesn’t sympathize with Lucy overtly, they also don’t shy away from highlighting the prejudices that underlie the decisions of the wealthy, influential male characters.
One of the novel’s most nuanced tonal trends is the narrator's fluctuating approach to criticizing or sympathizing with the protagonist. The narrative voice moves with agility between sympathy and suspicion, making it difficult to understand Lady Audley's true nature or intentions. This inconsistency keeps readers on their toes until the close of the novel, when the narrator fully shifts to a serious discussion of the consequences related to deception.
