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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
Chapter 2
Explanation and Analysis:
Mattie Ross’s narrative is consistently defined by an unsentimental, cynical, pragmatic, and mournful perspective. Her voice is characterized by a stark, business-like approach to life and its injustices, a quality that firmly underscores her maturity and independence.
This highly calculated response, devoid of emotional outrage, becomes clear early on when Mattie must find lodging at the Monarch boardinghouse in Chapter 2. Despite paying for her room, Mattie is forced by Mrs. Floyd, the proprietor, to share a bed with an elderly woman, Grandma Turner:
I did not mind sleeping with Grandma Turner but I thought Mrs. Floyd had taken advantage of me. Still, I saw nothing to be gained from making a fuss at that hour. She already had my money and I was tired and it was too late to look for lodging elsewhere.
This consistently unsentimental and level-headed tone is central to Mattie’s character. Even when she recognizes that she has been wronged and taken advantage of by Mrs. Floyd, her response is not one of emotional outrage, but rather a calculated assessment of the situation. She quickly determines that making a "fuss" would gain her nothing, since Mrs. Floyd "already had [her] money" and it was too late to find other accommodations. This pragmatic restraint in the face of petty injustice demonstrates her maturity and sensible nature. Mattie’s ability to handle complex adult situations with such resolve and composure defies expectations for a child, emphasizing her ability to act independently in the brutal world of the frontier.
Related Themes:
