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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:
Jerome K. Jerome’s tone in Three Men in a Boat can be broadly split into two extremes. It’s either humorous and ironic, or deeply reflective and nostalgic. This can shift quickly, as a result of scenery, happenstance, or J.’s mood, and always follows the narrator's attitude toward the events he’s describing. Initially, the tone is very light-hearted and humorous, as J., Jerome's semi-autobiographical first-person narrator, recounts the planning and beginning of the boating trip. All three of the novel’s “men” take themselves very seriously, which makes their personal foibles seem even sillier as J. drily recounts them.
As the journey progresses, the tone shifts to include more satire. This is particularly evident in the narrator’s observations about the British middle class and their pursuit of frivolous leisure. J.’s self-conscious, humorous depiction of late 19th-century customs and his own personal pretensions are very funny; especially so when he appears not to know he's being a fool. Harris, George, and J. are all extreme examples of the “gentleman of leisure,” a class of wealthy people who had family money and no need to work. Through them, Jerome is poking fun at the absurdities of middle-class life and the need to while away time. The seriousness with which the author recounts their story only makes the reader more conscious of their silliness.
However, the tone takes on a more romantic and nostalgic quality when describing the natural beauty of the Thames and the surrounding countryside. In these moments, the narrator's attitude becomes more thoughtful. It’s clear in these passages that the novel is also intended to act as a guide to boating the Thames. J. spends long, wistful paragraphs appreciating the historical significance and beauty of the landscape, and on educating the reader about the sights they're "seeing." The novel’s geography and botanical descriptions are mostly very accurate, another remnant of its beginnings as a travelogue.
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