The CrucibleLooking at Tone

Tone• Tone is defined as the author’s or speaker’s

attitude toward the subject.• Tone is an integral part of a piece of literature’s

meaning because it controls the reader’s response which is essential to fully understanding and experiencing literature.

• When you identify the tone of a quote from a text, you should be able to explain the rationale behind that tone.

For Example…

• What is the tone of the following statement?“I love carrying my heavy literature book to

class,” said Johnnie as he stuffed it into his backpack.

• Rationale: Why do you know that is the tone? What words in the sentence support the tone?

Applying Tone to The Crucible• Read the following quote from Act I• Parris: “Now tell me true, Abigail. I pray you feel the

weight of truth upon you, for now my ministry’s at stake, my ministry and perhaps your cousin’s life” (170).

• What do you think the tone is for this quote?

• Rationale: Explain why you know that is the tone. What words in the sentence support the tone?

****Remember this is inference and interpretation. You may have different ideas that other students. As long as you can back up your opinion with proof from the text, your answer should be valid.

Applying Tone to The Crucible• Read the following quote:• Parris: “Your name in the town—it is entirely white,

is it not?” (171)Abigail “My name is good in the village! I will not have it said my name is soiled! Goody Proctor is a gossiping liar!” (172)

• What do you think the tone is for Abigail’s quote? (Think about the context of the entire passage)

• Rationale: Explain why you know that is the tone. What words in the sentence support the tone?

opinion with proof from the text, your answer should be valid.

Tone IdentificationACT II

• Now that we’ve finished reading, try your hand at identifying passages that contain varying tones. For each of the adjectives listed below, find a passage that has the tone that matches. Complete a tone chart for each. – Frustrated Dramatic– Accusatory Lugubrious ( mournful)– Sympathetic Contentious

The Crucible Tone Assignment• Choose one quote/passage from The

Crucible. Complete the chart below for that quote/passage.

Quote: Choose the most significant quote from that passage.

Make sure you cite it correctly!

Tone Word: List the tone word

Context: Explain the part of the act

in which you found this quote.

Rationale: What is the author’s

purpose in using this tone for this character?