Tone+Murphy

Tone // a very vague critical term usually designating atmosphere of a work, although in some more restricted uses it refers to the author's attitude to the reader (e.g. formal, intimate, pompous) or to the subject // // matter (e.g. ironic, light, solemn, satiric, sentimental). // Jhabvala makes use of tone throughout __Heat and Dust__ while portraying the differences between Mrs. Minnies and Mrs. Crawford and Mrs. Saunders. “Droning”, “groaned”, “exhaustion” and “sank” (28) are just some of the words used to describe Mrs. Saunders. Whereas in the case of the two other women, “girlish”, “bright”, “cosy” and “cheerful” (30, 31) are examples of the language employed to describe Mrs Minnies and Mrs. Crawford. The sharp diction and descriptions of the solemn Mrs Saunders appear in stark contrast to the light-hearted nature in which the other two wives are described, thus utilizing two very dissimilar tones within the work. // The prevailing emotions of a work or of the author in his or her creation of the work. // Tone affects mood in a work. Using the same example as above, tone used by Jhabvala to illustrate differences between the three women creates two completely separate moods. When learning of Mrs. Saunders, the reader develops dull, dismal feelings of the character. Whereas while gaining knowledge of Mrs. Crawford and Mrs. Minnies, one develops feelings of gaiety and positivity, thus experiencing two different moods within the work. // the dominant mood or emotional tone of a work of art, as of a play or novel // Atmosphere is similar to tone and therefore has an influence on mood. Jhabvala’s dissimilar attitudes in describing Mrs. Saunders and Mrs. Minnies and Mrs. Crawford create conflicting atmospheres, which in turn, cause the reader to develop a certain mood about the work. Another example of atmosphere would be the way in which Olivia’s outlook on India changes from the beginning of the novel to the end. At first she complains of the climate but towards the end comes to show an appreciation of the beauty of it, or at least can tolerate it much better than she could initially. This change in opinions creates two different atmospheres for the reader.
 * Mood **
 * Atmosphere **