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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
Section 1
Explanation and Analysis:
The tone throughout the text is persuasive but derisive: Burke clearly disdains those whom he opposes, and this sentiment makes itself clear in more than one instance. This tone is quite prominent at the beginning of the essay, when Burke speaks dismissively of the Constitutional Society:
But I never heard a man of common judgment, or the least degree of information, speak a word in praise of the greater part of the publications circulated by that society; nor have their proceedings been accounted, except by some of themselves, as of any serious consequence.
The tone Burke uses here to indict his opposition reeks of intellectual superiority: he asserts that not even a man "of common judgement" would consider their work important. This assertion is, of course, purely anecdotal; Burke does not meaningfully address the work done by this society because he considers it inane and beneath him. His derisive tone communicates this.
By contrast, Burke's tone appears almost reverent in the sections where he discusses the French royalty, whom he seems to view as beautiful and honorable people wronged by the ugly actions of the revolutionaries. Note how he describes the after-effects of the initial revolution in France:
This king, to say no more of him, and this queen, and their infant children (who once would have been the pride and hope of a great and generous people) were then forced to abandon the sanctuary of the most splendid palace in the world.
This tone is rather reverential rather than derisive, and it clearly betrays Burke's affection for the monarchical figures he defends. While the revolutionaries are beneath him, the monarchy is above him: it is an institution Burke venerates.
Related Themes:
Section 8
Explanation and Analysis:
The tone throughout the text is persuasive but derisive: Burke clearly disdains those whom he opposes, and this sentiment makes itself clear in more than one instance. This tone is quite prominent at the beginning of the essay, when Burke speaks dismissively of the Constitutional Society:
But I never heard a man of common judgment, or the least degree of information, speak a word in praise of the greater part of the publications circulated by that society; nor have their proceedings been accounted, except by some of themselves, as of any serious consequence.
The tone Burke uses here to indict his opposition reeks of intellectual superiority: he asserts that not even a man "of common judgement" would consider their work important. This assertion is, of course, purely anecdotal; Burke does not meaningfully address the work done by this society because he considers it inane and beneath him. His derisive tone communicates this.
By contrast, Burke's tone appears almost reverent in the sections where he discusses the French royalty, whom he seems to view as beautiful and honorable people wronged by the ugly actions of the revolutionaries. Note how he describes the after-effects of the initial revolution in France:
This king, to say no more of him, and this queen, and their infant children (who once would have been the pride and hope of a great and generous people) were then forced to abandon the sanctuary of the most splendid palace in the world.
This tone is rather reverential rather than derisive, and it clearly betrays Burke's affection for the monarchical figures he defends. While the revolutionaries are beneath him, the monarchy is above him: it is an institution Burke venerates.
Related Themes:
