Tone and mood are two of the most important literary elements that shape a reader’s experience of a text. While they are often discussed together, they serve different functions in storytelling. Understanding how they work is essential for literary analysis, particularly for students studying literature in Western Australia under the SCSA syllabus.
What is Tone?
Tone refers to the author’s attitude towards the subject matter, characters, or audience. It is conveyed through word choice, sentence structure, and stylistic elements such as punctuation and figurative language. Just as a speaker’s tone of voice can reveal their feelings—whether they are serious, sarcastic, or enthusiastic—an author’s tone sets the way a reader interprets a text.
For example, in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the tone is initially lighthearted and fable-like but becomes increasingly serious and cynical as the story progresses. Orwell’s use of satire and irony contributes to the tone, highlighting the dangers of power and corruption.
Common types of tone include:
- Formal: Professional and objective (e.g., academic essays)
- Informal: Conversational and personal (e.g., diary entries, blogs)
- Sarcastic: Mocking or ironic (e.g., satirical writing)
- Optimistic/Pessimistic: Hopeful or despairing (e.g., inspirational works vs. dystopian fiction)
- Humorous: Lighthearted and amusing (e.g., comedic plays, satirical works)
- Melancholic: Sad or reflective (e.g., poetry about loss)
What is Mood?
Mood, on the other hand, refers to the emotional atmosphere of a literary work and the feelings it evokes in the reader. While tone is about the author’s perspective, mood is about how the reader responds to the text. Mood is created through descriptive language, imagery, setting, and character interactions.
For example, in Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, the moody, stormy setting of the Yorkshire moors contributes to an atmosphere of tension, passion, and mystery. The descriptions of the wild landscape help establish the novel’s brooding, gothic mood.
Common moods in literature include:
- Suspenseful: Creates anticipation and tension (e.g., thriller novels)
- Romantic: Evokes love and passion (e.g., classic love stories)
- Gloomy: Dark and sorrowful (e.g., gothic literature)
- Cheerful: Light and joyful (e.g., children’s literature)
- Eerie: Strange and unsettling (e.g., horror fiction)
The Relationship Between Tone and Mood
Although tone and mood are distinct, they are closely related. The author’s tone influences the mood, shaping how readers feel about the story. For example, a sarcastic tone can create a humorous or cynical mood, while a reverent tone might foster a solemn or respectful mood.
How to Analyse Tone and Mood in Literature
When studying a text for the SCSA Literature syllabus, consider the following questions:
- What specific words and phrases contribute to the tone?
- How does the setting influence the mood?
- How do the characters’ dialogue and actions affect the atmosphere?
- Does the author use literary devices like metaphors, irony, or symbolism to shape tone and mood?
Conclusion
Understanding tone and mood enhances literary analysis and deepens engagement with texts. By recognising how authors use language to shape meaning and reader response, you can develop stronger analytical skills, preparing you for literary studies and critical writing tasks.
