Literature

Theme analysis: Tone and setting

Tichinia Tenee Conrod

ENG 125: Introduction to Literature

Instructor Sarah Ross

April 28, 2011

Theme analysis: Tone and setting

How does the tone and setting differ in a theme analysis? Is there a correlation of the two? And, if so, is it easily detected? When analyzing the theme of a literary work, one must consider the significance of a given narrative theme and how that is conveyed through subject matter, form, technique, and style.

The significance of a narrative theme starts with the tone and the setting. The setting determines the subject matter and appearance of the story, for instances, the setting in the Hills like White Elephants by Earnest Hemingway (1927) states, "All right. I was trying. I said the mountains looked like white elephants. Wasn't that bright?" "That was bright."

"I wanted to try this new drink. That's all we do, isn't it—look at things and try new drinks?"

"I guess so." (Clugston, 2010). The settings in these particular stanzas discuss a serious matter in which, the girl must decide her next move. Although she is confused, frighten, and alone, she still is considering the importance of her decision.

The tone in the stanzas, on the other hand, presents sadness in the story, for example, "It's really an awfully simple operation, Jig," the man said. "It's not really an operation at all." The girl looked at the ground the table legs rested on. "I know you wouldn't mind it, Jig. It's really not anything. It's just to let the air in." The girl looked across at the hills.(Clugston, 2010). The objectivity of the story is for the American to remain neutral until the girl feels comfortable with her decisions to abort her baby.

In addition to the subject matter, the form in the story is wrapping around the tone and setting. Meaning, the basis of the story is obviously discussing a young girl’s...