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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
Tone
Explanation and Analysis:
The tone of The Rivals is humorous and satirical. Every character interaction throughout the play is intended as a mostly-lighthearted jab at the artificiality of Sheridan’s contemporary society, and of Sheridan’s own life. Most of the acts of deception carried out in The Rivals are not treated as signs of any great moral failing but rather as benign overall actions that move the story along to its happy conclusion. Sheridan balances this non-condemnation of Absolute’s many lies by including the case of Faulkland’s manipulation of Julia (regarding his supposed participation in a duel) and her resulting initial heartbreak. In doing so, Sheridan demonstrates that deception is only acceptable up to a certain point before it becomes cruelty.
Related Themes:
