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Style
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
Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis:
The Great Gatsby’s tone is sympathetic, cynical, and mournful. Since Nick Carraway is the first-person narrator of Gatsby, his attitudes set the tone of the book. In Chapter 1, Nick reflects on his time living in New York and getting to know Jay Gatsby:
I wanted no more riotous excursions with privileged glimpses into the human heart. Only Gatsby [...] was exempt from my reaction—Gatsby, who represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn [...] it is what preyed on Gatsby, what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that temporarily closed out my interest in the abortive sorrows and short-winded elations of men.
Related Themes:
Chapter 9
Explanation and Analysis:
The Great Gatsby’s tone is sympathetic, cynical, and mournful. Since Nick Carraway is the first-person narrator of Gatsby, his attitudes set the tone of the book. In Chapter 1, Nick reflects on his time living in New York and getting to know Jay Gatsby:
Unlock with LitCharts A+I wanted no more riotous excursions with privileged glimpses into the human heart. Only Gatsby [...] was exempt from my reaction—Gatsby, who represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn [...] it is what preyed on Gatsby, what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that temporarily closed out my interest in the abortive sorrows and short-winded elations of men.
Related Themes:
