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 Three Men in a Boat
Tone
Explanation and Analysis:
Jerome K. Jerome’s tone in Three Men in a Boat can be broadly split into two extremes. It’s either humorous and ironic, or deeply reflective and nostalgic. This can shift quickly, as a result of scenery, happenstance, or J.’s mood, and always follows the narrator's attitude toward the events he’s describing. Initially, the tone is very light-hearted and humorous, as J., Jerome's semi-autobiographical first-person narrator, recounts the planning and beginning of the boating trip. All three of the novel’s “men” take themselves very seriously, which makes their personal foibles seem even sillier as J. drily recounts them.