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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 2, Chapter 20
Explanation and Analysis:
The narrator’s tone shifts throughout Middlemarch, from detached to empathetic and back again. It can seem like the narrator is mocking certain characters (there are particular characters who exist mostly for a satirical comedic effect), and then the language moves into a more earnest tone. The following passage from Chapter 29—in which the narrator reflects on Casaubon’s character—is an example of this sort of tonal shift:
For my part I am very sorry for [Casaubon]. It is an uneasy lot at best, to be what we call highly taught and yet not to enjoy: to be present at this great spectacle of life and never to be liberated from a small hungry shivering self.
Related Themes:
Book 3, Chapter 29
Explanation and Analysis:
The narrator’s tone shifts throughout Middlemarch, from detached to empathetic and back again. It can seem like the narrator is mocking certain characters (there are particular characters who exist mostly for a satirical comedic effect), and then the language moves into a more earnest tone. The following passage from Chapter 29—in which the narrator reflects on Casaubon’s character—is an example of this sort of tonal shift:
Unlock with LitCharts A+For my part I am very sorry for [Casaubon]. It is an uneasy lot at best, to be what we call highly taught and yet not to enjoy: to be present at this great spectacle of life and never to be liberated from a small hungry shivering self.
Related Themes:
