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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
Chapter 16
Explanation and Analysis:
Vonnegut's tone throughout the novel is direct and frank, though as the work progresses it also becomes occasionally pensive. Because Vonnegut is not only the author but also a character, his tone, by the end, is emotionally invested in the story; it's tinged with particular with care for his characters and with Vonnegut's search for his father.
Most of the time, the tone is frank and comic, as at the opening of Chapter 16:
And the peanut butter eaters on Earth were preparing to conquer the shazzbutter-eaters on the planet in the book by Kilgore Trout. By this time, the Earthlings hadn't just demolished West Virginia and Southeast Asia. They had demolished everything. So they were ready to go pioneering again.
With short sentences and straightforward wit, Vonnegut tries to tell things as they are. From this vantage point, Vonnegut is the comic "Creator of the Universe": witty, involved, idiosyncratic, and frank.
Occasionally, though, the tone is more pensive and philosophical, as at the close of Chapter 19:
And now comes the spiritual climax of this book, for it is at this point that I, the author, am suddenly transformed by what I have done so far. This is why I had gone to Midland City: to be born again. And Chaos announced that it was about to give birth to a new me...
These two tones align with two important thematic registers: on one hand, the satire and humor that form the bulk of the book's critique of America; on the other, the idealism that sits at the heart of Vonnegut's larger project. The tone participates in both the humor of Vonnegut's method and the sincerity of his goals: by using humor, irony, and critique, Vonnegut tries to sincerely improve the ideological landscape of America. Over the course of the book, the tone increasingly recognizes this sincerity. This is best encapsulated by the book's final page, which is occupied by one large and simplistic drawing of Vonnegut's own face in a sincere expression, marked by one large tear.
Chapter 19
Explanation and Analysis:
Vonnegut's tone throughout the novel is direct and frank, though as the work progresses it also becomes occasionally pensive. Because Vonnegut is not only the author but also a character, his tone, by the end, is emotionally invested in the story; it's tinged with particular with care for his characters and with Vonnegut's search for his father.
Most of the time, the tone is frank and comic, as at the opening of Chapter 16:
And the peanut butter eaters on Earth were preparing to conquer the shazzbutter-eaters on the planet in the book by Kilgore Trout. By this time, the Earthlings hadn't just demolished West Virginia and Southeast Asia. They had demolished everything. So they were ready to go pioneering again.
With short sentences and straightforward wit, Vonnegut tries to tell things as they are. From this vantage point, Vonnegut is the comic "Creator of the Universe": witty, involved, idiosyncratic, and frank.
Occasionally, though, the tone is more pensive and philosophical, as at the close of Chapter 19:
And now comes the spiritual climax of this book, for it is at this point that I, the author, am suddenly transformed by what I have done so far. This is why I had gone to Midland City: to be born again. And Chaos announced that it was about to give birth to a new me...
These two tones align with two important thematic registers: on one hand, the satire and humor that form the bulk of the book's critique of America; on the other, the idealism that sits at the heart of Vonnegut's larger project. The tone participates in both the humor of Vonnegut's method and the sincerity of his goals: by using humor, irony, and critique, Vonnegut tries to sincerely improve the ideological landscape of America. Over the course of the book, the tone increasingly recognizes this sincerity. This is best encapsulated by the book's final page, which is occupied by one large and simplistic drawing of Vonnegut's own face in a sincere expression, marked by one large tear.
