Previous
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 2
Explanation and Analysis:
In The Red Badge of Courage, Stephen Crane employs a blunt, detached, and sometimes sardonic tone that deflates myths about war as a heroic endeavor. Henry, the novel’s protagonist, joins the war in hopes of “witnessing a Greeklike struggle.” Like the heroes of classical tales he might have encountered growing up, he wants to find adventure and distinguish himself in battle. But Crane doesn’t shy away from gruesome depictions of wounded men, moments of cowardice in battle, or officers displaying callous disregard for their soldiers’ lives. After his first battle ends in a humiliating retreat, Henry runs into a dying soldier who turns out to be his friend, Jim. Describing Jim, Crane writes:
Another had the gray seal of death already upon his face. His lips were curled in hard lines and his teeth were clinched. His hands were bloody from where he had pressed them upon his wound. He seemed to be awaiting the moment when he should pitch headlong.
Related Themes:
Chapter 8
Explanation and Analysis:
In The Red Badge of Courage, Stephen Crane employs a blunt, detached, and sometimes sardonic tone that deflates myths about war as a heroic endeavor. Henry, the novel’s protagonist, joins the war in hopes of “witnessing a Greeklike struggle.” Like the heroes of classical tales he might have encountered growing up, he wants to find adventure and distinguish himself in battle. But Crane doesn’t shy away from gruesome depictions of wounded men, moments of cowardice in battle, or officers displaying callous disregard for their soldiers’ lives. After his first battle ends in a humiliating retreat, Henry runs into a dying soldier who turns out to be his friend, Jim. Describing Jim, Crane writes:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Another had the gray seal of death already upon his face. His lips were curled in hard lines and his teeth were clinched. His hands were bloody from where he had pressed them upon his wound. He seemed to be awaiting the moment when he should pitch headlong.
Related Themes:
