Tone
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
by Mark Twain

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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: 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

Key Examples in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Preface
Explanation and Analysis:

Twain’s tone in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is overall playful and sympathetic. While he gently mocks the characters in the novel (children and adults alike), he understands the workings of their minds and sympathizes with their hypocritical and manipulative ways. The content and tone of the book's preface establish that Twain approached his writing from a place of caring:

[P]art of my plan has been to try to pleasantly remind adults of what they once were themselves, and of how they felt and thought and talked, and what queer enterprises they sometimes engaged in.

Chapter 6
Explanation and Analysis:

Twain’s tone in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is overall playful and sympathetic. While he gently mocks the characters in the novel (children and adults alike), he understands the workings of their minds and sympathizes with their hypocritical and manipulative ways. The content and tone of the book's preface establish that Twain approached his writing from a place of caring:

[P]art of my plan has been to try to pleasantly remind adults of what they once were themselves, and of how they felt and thought and talked, and what queer enterprises they sometimes engaged in.

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Chapter 10
Explanation and Analysis:

Twain’s tone in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is overall playful and sympathetic. While he gently mocks the characters in the novel (children and adults alike), he understands the workings of their minds and sympathizes with their hypocritical and manipulative ways. The content and tone of the book's preface establish that Twain approached his writing from a place of caring:

[P]art of my plan has been to try to pleasantly remind adults of what they once were themselves, and of how they felt and thought and talked, and what queer enterprises they sometimes engaged in.

Unlock with LitCharts A+