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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
Tone
Explanation and Analysis:
The tone of this novel aligns strongly with the events of its narrative progression and the emotional journey of its characters. At the outset, the omniscient third-person narrator establishes a contemplative, serious, and somber tone that mirrors the novel’s protagonist. Father Jean-Marie Latour is contemplative, serious, and somber, and the tone of the entire book reflects this attitude to life and work. Latour’s role as a missionary in the American Southwest and its inherent challenges sets the stage for the introspective and reflective tone of the book as a whole.
As the story unfolds and Father Latour becomes immersed in the difficulties of bringing Catholicism to a resistant region, the tone of the narrator becomes curious and engaged. As Latour learns about life in New Mexico, the narrator's perspective also becomes more open and dynamic. The more Latour learns and grows, the more interested the narrator grows in the politics and culture of the area.
Life is hard and poverty is everywhere in the American Southwest of the time, and as this becomes more and more clear, the tone takes on a somber and reflective quality. The narrator repeatedly emphasizes the closeness of death and the demanding nature of religious life in the unforgiving desert landscape. Through this emphasis, Cather invites readers to contemplate the impermanence of things humans build. The tone also helps to underscore the urgency Latour and Vaillant feel to do well in their posts and to make a positive impact on the people around them. The narrator is more overtly critical of ethical laziness than they are of almost any other kind of behavior.
In the concluding chapters of the novel the narrative tone is at its saddest. However, the narrator’s voice also takes on a resigned and peaceful quality, leaving readers with a sense of tranquility and reflection. As Latour hopes he has done enough, the reader feels hopeful for the future. During pivotal religious moments in the narrative, the tone becomes dense with spiritual reverence and highly descriptive. The narrator's language in these sections is more direct and evocative, allowing readers to sense the connection between the sublime landscapes and the priests’ relationships with the divine.
Related Themes:
