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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
Prologue
Explanation and Analysis:
Charles Ryder narrates Brideshead Revisited in the first person; as such, his perception of events and characters colors readers' perception of the very same. When Charles views Sebastian uncharitably, readers are influenced to take on similar perspectives. Rarely, Charles critiques his own point of view, as in the following excerpt from the prologue:
“The camp was left in a disgraceful condition. Wherever I went I found evidence that officers are not doing their duty. [....] It is on such matters that the reputation of a battalion and its commander rests. And”—did he in fact say this or am I finding words for the resentment in his voice and eye? I think he left it unsaid—“I do not intend to have my professional reputation compromised by the slackness of a few temporary officers.”
In this passage, Charles utilizes a self-aware tone, acknowledging his own tendency to make inferences and dramatize events. Moments like these are important, given that Charles often frames himself as impartial and level-headed, at least in comparison to characters like Sebastian and Anthony Blanche. Next to their hyperbole, Charles appears reasonable. He is not without his own penchant for exaggeration, however. Overall, the novel's tone is philosophical and contemplative (aided by elaborate figurative language and dense allusion), and it is interspersed with brief moments of self-conscious commentary.
