The Storm

by Kate Chopin

The Storm: 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 2
Explanation and Analysis:

The tone of “The Storm” is a deeply empathetic one. While many literary depictions of infidelity feature a judgmental or disapproving narrator, the narrator in “The Storm” tells the story of Calixta and Alcée’s affair in a loving manner, highlighting the beauty of their sexual connection. Take the following passage, for example, which comes during Calixta and Alcée’s sexual encounter:

When he touched her breasts they gave themselves up in quivering ecstasy, inviting his lips. Her mouth was a fountain of delight. And when he possessed her, they seemed to swoon together at the very borderland of life’s mystery.