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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 "Those Who Walk Away from Omelas," the tone begins cheerfully, as the narrator draws readers into a festive scene of the Summer Festival in the city of Omelas. It’s a place that appears to be the epitome of joy and harmony, so much so that the narrator has trouble describing it to the reader in all its glory. The third-person omniscient narrative voice is engaging and bright as it depicts an idyllic city where happiness abounds. There are some moments of foreshadowing, but these don’t interrupt the overall tone of excitement until they begin to be too numerous to ignore.
As the story unfolds, this tone of cheer is slowly undercut by this growing sense of dread. The narrator drops more and more hints that the happiness of Omelas is rotten at its core. When this reaches a tipping point, the tone abruptly shifts as the hidden suffering of the scapegoat child comes to light. The narrator is withdrawn and arch as they describe the horrific conditions of the child’s torture chamber, the existence of which is the foundation of the city's prosperity. The tone immediately becomes sober and documentarian. It doesn’t judge the citizens of Omelas for either staying or leaving. In doing so, it compels readers to grapple with the difficult choice that underlies the whole narrative: to stay in Omelas despite the child’s suffering or leave and risk everything in the darkness outside. After the adolescents of Omelas learn about the child they all have to make this choice, meaning that all of their happiness is forever qualified with the knowledge of the child’s misery. The narrator’s tone at the story’s conclusion does not resolve the moral tension. Rather, it leaves the question of justice open-ended, challenging readers to consider their position on the many profiting from the suffering of the one.
Related Themes:
