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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 Hairy Ape
Scene One
Explanation and Analysis:
Elements of narrative tone come through often in O'Neill's stage directions. The language he uses to set a scene will often feature character descriptions with political dimensions to them, like this excerpt from the beginning of Scene 1:
The treatment of this scene, or of any other scene in the play, should by no means be naturalistic. The effect sought after is a cramped space in the bowels of a ship, imprisoned by white steel. The lines of bunks, the uprights supporting them, cross each other like the steel framework of a cage. The ceiling crushes down upon the men’s heads. They cannot stand upright.
Related Themes:
Scene Four
Explanation and Analysis:
Elements of narrative tone come through often in O'Neill's stage directions. The language he uses to set a scene will often feature character descriptions with political dimensions to them, like this excerpt from the beginning of Scene 1:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The treatment of this scene, or of any other scene in the play, should by no means be naturalistic. The effect sought after is a cramped space in the bowels of a ship, imprisoned by white steel. The lines of bunks, the uprights supporting them, cross each other like the steel framework of a cage. The ceiling crushes down upon the men’s heads. They cannot stand upright.
Related Themes:
