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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
Part One, Chapter 1 – The Brahmin's Son
Explanation and Analysis:
The tone of Siddhartha is thoughtful and deliberate, and the narrator's detailed descriptions usually reveal his sympathy with the young Siddhartha. For instance, in Chapter 1, the narrator describes how much all the other characters love Siddhartha:
Joy leaped in his father's heart about the son [...] Bliss leaped in his mother's breast when she saw him [...] Love stirred in the hearts of the young Brahmin daughters when Siddhartha passed through the streets of the town, with his radiant brow, with his royal eyes, with his narrow hips.
Here, the third-person omniscient narration provides insight into the protagonist's qualities from the viewpoints of the other characters. The narrator describes Siddhartha from the perspectives of his father, mother, and the local girls. All of these groups perceive him as both intelligent and attractive with his "radiant brow" and "royal eyes." His physical features reflect the depth of his intelligence and future potential. He does ultimately succeed, but not without prodigious effort. These initial observations hint at his ultimate success and make his character seem quite likable.
Even when Siddhartha faces challenges (such as during his time as an ascetic with the Samanas, or his gambling and courting among the Child People), the narrator maintains an even, thoughtful, and deliberate tone. This consistent tone provides narrative continuity in the story of a long journey with many twists and turns. It also encourages the reader's sympathy towards Siddhartha as he strives for enlightenment.
Related Themes:
