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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
Book 1, Chapter 1: Amory, Son of Beatrice
Explanation and Analysis:
This Side of Paradise is written with a sarcastic and, at times, satirical tone. At every turn, Fitzgerald documents Amory as the superficial, self-obsessed status-monger that he is—in every lurid detail. Consider the startling moment of dialogue when Amory first meets Monsignor Darcy, in Book 1, Chapter 1, and shares his playful allegiances—based on his cursory ideas of honor—with historical causes:
"Of course you were— and for Hannibal—"
"Yes, and for the Southern Confederacy." He was rather skeptical about being an Irish patriot—he suspected that being Irish was being somewhat common—but Monsignor assured him that Ireland was a romantic lost cause and Irish people quite charming, and that it should, by all means, be one of his principal biases.
With biting clarity, Fitzgerald documents Amory's willingness to think—and believe—what ever is proper, classy, and vaguely aristocratic to think, regardless of its implications. This tone persists in Fitzgerald's portrayal of how Amory appraises his prospective friends, as in Book 1, Chapter 2:
Dick Humbird had, ever since freshman year, seemed to Amory a perfect type of aristocrat. He was slender but well-built—black curly hair, straight features and rather a dark skin. Everything he said sounded intangibly appropriate. He possessed infinite courage, an averagely good mind, and a sense of honor with a clear charm and noblest oblige that varied it from righteousness.
With a sly grin, Fitzgerald relates Amory's thought process—how he identifies certain "desirable" and often hyperbolic qualities in a classmate and somehow makes a character judgement based on this. Fitzgerald is always irreverent about the values that Amory holds dear, giving certain sections of the novel a vaguely tongue-in-cheek tone that ultimately highlights Amory's naivety.
Book 1, Chapter 2: Spires and Gargoyles
Explanation and Analysis:
This Side of Paradise is written with a sarcastic and, at times, satirical tone. At every turn, Fitzgerald documents Amory as the superficial, self-obsessed status-monger that he is—in every lurid detail. Consider the startling moment of dialogue when Amory first meets Monsignor Darcy, in Book 1, Chapter 1, and shares his playful allegiances—based on his cursory ideas of honor—with historical causes:
"Of course you were— and for Hannibal—"
"Yes, and for the Southern Confederacy." He was rather skeptical about being an Irish patriot—he suspected that being Irish was being somewhat common—but Monsignor assured him that Ireland was a romantic lost cause and Irish people quite charming, and that it should, by all means, be one of his principal biases.
With biting clarity, Fitzgerald documents Amory's willingness to think—and believe—what ever is proper, classy, and vaguely aristocratic to think, regardless of its implications. This tone persists in Fitzgerald's portrayal of how Amory appraises his prospective friends, as in Book 1, Chapter 2:
Dick Humbird had, ever since freshman year, seemed to Amory a perfect type of aristocrat. He was slender but well-built—black curly hair, straight features and rather a dark skin. Everything he said sounded intangibly appropriate. He possessed infinite courage, an averagely good mind, and a sense of honor with a clear charm and noblest oblige that varied it from righteousness.
With a sly grin, Fitzgerald relates Amory's thought process—how he identifies certain "desirable" and often hyperbolic qualities in a classmate and somehow makes a character judgement based on this. Fitzgerald is always irreverent about the values that Amory holds dear, giving certain sections of the novel a vaguely tongue-in-cheek tone that ultimately highlights Amory's naivety.
