Figurative language shapes tone, the writer's attitude. In “The Small Hours”, the mind at night is “an unfair accountant” that “lists the debts and never the repaid”. The extended metaphor creates an anxious, self-critical tone.
A symbol can shift tone: a blackbird singing “against the iron sky” introduces hope. An oxymoron can capture mixed feelings, such as a “bittersweet farewell”.
Track tone shifts and explain what causes them. Often a single image or word marks the turn.
Worked example
What tone does “The mind at night is an unfair accountant” create?
- Accountants record debts; unfair suggests bias.
- The mind is shown as harshly self-critical.
Answer:An anxious, self-critical tone.
Key words
- tone
- the writer's attitude
- extended metaphor
- a comparison developed at length
- tone shift
- a change in attitude within a text
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: L.11-12.5a