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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:
The tone of The Ladies’ Paradise gradually shifts throughout the novel. The omniscient third-person narrator remains consistent throughout and initially seems somewhat detached. At first, they seem to take a critical view of consumerism and the societal changes emerging in the era of the Second French Empire. This detachment allows the reader to feel that they’re getting an for an objective analysis of the bustling new world The Ladies' Paradise, its customers and its employees.
While critical of these changes, the tone also conveys a sense of excitement and fascination with the modernization represented by the department store’s success. This conflicting tone captures the complexity of the societal transformations taking place and also reflects Zola’s own evolving view of the issue. It offers a somewhat balanced perspective, one that acknowledges both the appeal and the potential drawbacks of these new developments.
As the novel progresses, the tone shifts to become more empathetic towards the characters who are negatively affected by the rise of the department store: small business owners like Baudu in particular. This change in tone reflects a concern for the small shopkeepers and workers whose livelihoods are threatened by the new retail model. The narrative voice becomes more attuned to their struggles, paying attention to their feelings and painting a picture of the human consequences of explosively fast societal and economic change.
Throughout the novel, the tone is also often ironic, satirical and melancholic. At times, the narrator seems to celebrate the grandeur and splendor of The Ladies' Paradise, while simultaneously critiquing the societal and personal costs of such extravagance. The novel has regular moments of satire, where Zola lampoons the colossal wastefulness and over-the-top decoration of the enormous store. Dotted through these are intermittent moments of sadness, particularly when bits of old Paris are obliterated by the store and during the painful funeral. The narrator becomes bogged down in a sense of loss and nostalgia for a way of life that is being irrevocably changed.
Towards the end of the novel, the tone becomes sadder and more contemplative, especially during moments that highlight serious poverty or the irony of characters being forced to return to the store for employment. The narrative voice takes on a tone of contempt in Chapters 13 and 14, taking an overtly critical stance on the harsh realities of France’s capitalist system and the exploitation of laborers that’s folded into the department store model. This shift in tone doesn’t eliminate all excitement about Paris becoming more modern and industry developing. It does, however, underscore the novel's critique of the societal changes brought about by the emergence of large scale retail culture.
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