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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
Tone
Explanation and Analysis:
In the story, adult Gan recalls the final scenes of his childhood. In the moment that he does this reflection, Gan has already resigned to his responsibility to bear T'Gatoi's children, however painful and horrifying such a fate may be. Thus, the tone of the story relies on the inevitable—a sense that one's fate is final and inescapable.
Similar to the "cage" that T'Gatoi traps him in, he and the other Terrans are both protected and trapped within the Preserve and its laws. There is nothing more Gan can do for himself to escape his individual fate, but he is resigned in his decision to protect his family members. In the following passage, for example, Gan acknowledges and recognizes his painful future as he allows T'Gatoi to fill his body with eggs. Influenced by the narcotic effects of T'Gatoi's fluid, Gan releases his despair and continues toward his predetermined fate.
The small amount of fluid that came into me with her egg relaxed me as completely as a sterile egg would have, so that I could remember the rifle in my hands and my feelings of fear and revulsion, anger and despair. I could remember the feelings without reviving them.
Gan clearly understands how his role as an N'Tlic may be unjust and oppressive. Nevertheless, he resigns to his fate. This contributes to the story's overall tone of resignation to the seemingly inevitable.
Related Themes:
