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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
Key Examples in The Californian’s Tale
Tone
Explanation and Analysis:
The tone of “The Californian’s Tale” is a primarily anxious and desperate one. The story is narrated by an unnamed prospector who has little joy in his life until he comes across Henry’s comforting cottage, where he learns that the beautiful young woman who decorated it (Henry’s wife) will be returning home in but a few days’ time. Rather than relaxing into this comfortable dwelling and waiting patiently for Henry’s wife to return, the narrator, like Henry, becomes increasingly anxious about her arrival, seemingly tying his happiness to her appearance.
The following passage captures both men's anxious and desperate tones as Henry's worries over his wife's delayed arrival and the narrator is so on edge he loses patience with his host:
“I’m getting worried, I’m getting right down worried. I know she’s not due till about nine o’clock, and yet something seems to be trying to warn me that something’s happened. You don’t think anything has happened, do you?”
I began to get pretty thoroughly ashamed of him for his childishness; and at last, when he repeated that imploring question still another time, I lost my patience for the moment, and spoke pretty brutally to him.
Related Themes:
