Tone
Literary term · say it TOHN
Tone is the attitude toward a subject or audience that comes through in a text. It may be affectionate, mocking, solemn, angry, or playful, and it can change as a scene unfolds.
Ways tone appears
Mocking tone
A mocking tone treats someone or something as foolish or ridiculous. It often exposes a gap between someone's importance and their actual behavior.
At the start of Pride and Prejudice, Mrs. Bennet urges her husband to visit their wealthy new neighbor, while his teasing replies gently mock her eagerness to find husbands for their daughters.
In Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Tender tone
A tender tone expresses warmth, care, or affection. It treats a person's feelings or troubles gently.
In A Christmas Carol, the account of Bob Cratchit carrying Tiny Tim home from church treats the child and his father's care with tenderness.
In A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Bitter tone
A bitter tone expresses hurt, resentment, or deep disappointment. It can make a complaint feel personal and sharp.
In Frankenstein, the creature tells Victor about his loneliness and rejection, then condemns his creator for abandoning him.
In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
How to spot tone
- Look for words that suggest approval, affection, anger, or contempt.
- Notice whether the narrator treats events seriously, gently, or as a joke.
- Check whether the attitude changes when the subject or speaker changes.
What is the difference between tone and mood?
Tone is the attitude expressed in a text, while mood is its emotional atmosphere or the feeling it encourages in a reader. A narrator might describe a frightening event with a calm tone, even while the scene creates an uneasy mood.
Can a book have more than one tone?
Yes, a book can have several tones, sometimes within the same scene. A cheerful conversation may become tense when bad news arrives, or a narrator may treat one character affectionately and another with scorn. Look for changes in wording and attitude.
Related terms
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