The Monkey’s Paw
by W. W. Jacobs

The Monkey’s Paw: 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
Part I
Explanation and Analysis:

While the narrators of many horror stories have creepy or callous tones, the narrator of “The Monkey’s Paw” primarily moves between humorous and caring tones. Part I starts the story off with a funny tone, as seen in the following passage:  

Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

Part III
Explanation and Analysis:

While the narrators of many horror stories have creepy or callous tones, the narrator of “The Monkey’s Paw” primarily moves between humorous and caring tones. Part I starts the story off with a funny tone, as seen in the following passage:  

Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

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