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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:
At the beginning of the novel, Station Eleven’s tone is foreboding, even though it’s not immediately apparent to the reader what’s going on. The juxtaposition of Arthur’s final—and terminal—performance of King Lear with the sudden collapse of civilization feels almost surreal, as though the play itself were about the Georgia Flu. Despite this alarming start, the novel does not immediately dwell on panic, but the quiet unraveling of order and Mandel’s intensive use of foreshadowing makes the opening feel ominous anyway. This early tone of restrained panic reflects how fragile the boundary is between normal life and catastrophe. It also paves the way for the impending disaster to feel both shocking and inevitable.
As the novel moves into its middle section, the tone becomes more nostalgic. Although the novel primarily focuses on Kirsten's perspective, the narrator also shifts between characters with each chapter. Each one experiences varying degrees of loss and mourning for their former lives. Through flashbacks, characters recall their lives before the Georgia Flu. These moments reveal their backstories as well as the comforts and relationships they are mourning in the present. The tone of these memories also varies depending on the character’s perspective. For example, Clark’s recollections of his past high-flying career feel wistful at the beginning but grow more skeptical and critical as the novel continues. By contrast, the Traveling Symphony’s collective efforts to preserve art take on a more determined, reverent tone as the dangers of the Prophet’s followers grow more apparent.
By the end, the novel leans toward cautious optimism, especially after Kirsten spies the grid of electric lights through the telescope in the air traffic control tower. Discovering that an electrified town could still exist suggests the possibility of actually rebuilding the world and regaining the comforts of the lost information age. Although Mandel’s characters do not dismiss the weight of what has been lost, there’s a tentative sense of hope and the potential for new beginnings by the book’s end.
Related Themes:
