Here's a breakdown:
* How it's expressed: Narrator tone is conveyed through word choice, sentence structure, imagery, and the overall narrative style.
* Its impact: Tone shapes the reader's understanding and emotional response to the story. It can create feelings of humor, suspense, sadness, anger, or even detachment.
* Types of tone:
* Formal: Impersonal, objective, and often used in academic or historical writing.
* Informal: Casual, conversational, and may use slang or colloquialisms.
* Humorous: Uses witty language, exaggeration, and irony to create amusement.
* Serious: Emphasizes the gravity of the subject matter and avoids lightheartedness.
* Objective: Neutral and avoids expressing personal opinions or feelings.
* Subjective: Reveals the narrator's personal feelings and biases.
* Satirical: Uses humor and irony to criticize or mock individuals or institutions.
* Cynical: Expresses disillusionment, pessimism, and distrust.
* Romantic: Highlights the beauty, love, and idealized aspects of life.
Examples:
* Formal: "The experiment yielded unexpected results." (Implies scientific objectivity)
* Informal: "I was totally bummed when my phone died." (Casual and conversational)
* Humorous: "The cat, a creature of unparalleled grace and dignity, tripped over its own tail and landed in a heap on the floor." (Exaggeration and irony create humor)
* Serious: "The city lay in ruins, a testament to the destructive power of war." (Emphasizes the gravity of the situation)
Understanding narrator tone is crucial for analyzing and appreciating literature. It helps you understand the author's message and the deeper layers of meaning in the story.