TONE the Attitude a Writer Takes Toward the Reader, a Subject, Or a Character; Conveyed

TONE – the attitude a writer takes toward the reader, a subject, or a character; conveyed through word choice (diction) and details; also affected by point of view

Tone words: sarcastic, satiric, angry, matter-of-fact, light-hearted, sincere, awed, contemplative, etc

Example: Consider Chapter 3’s introduction to Raymond. Camus chooses words carefully as in “blood sausage,” “a letter with punch,” writing in purple ink. What tone do these words imply?

STYLE: the manner in which writers or speakers say what they wish to say; the author’s way of using language

Style includes: imagery, syntax, sentence length, rhythm, punctuation, repetition, tone, diction

Ex: Hemingway said “write the truest simple sentence that you know” and that one can only “write what you truly felt.” His style is simple and straightforward with uncomplicated word choices. Based on this statement, is Camus’ style similar to Hemingway’s or different? What style does Camus use for his dialogue? How does it change from part 1 to part 2?

LYRICISM: in prose, a poetic, melodic quality that leaves the reader with a strong impression

Compare these sentences:

Lyric: “By now the sun was overpowering. It shattered into little pieces on the sand and water.”

Not lyric: “The sun was very hot as it hit the sand and the water.”

Lyric: “The sea gasped for air with each shallow, stifled little wave that broke on the sand”

Not lyric: “The waves were small.”

Find two more examples of lyricism in Ch 6.

MOTIFS: a recurrent image, idea, or other element in a work of fiction. The more often it is mentioned, the more important it becomes; Motifs unify stories, and give clues to theme

Example: sleepMeursault sleeps on the bus, at his mother’s vigil, during lunch, in the courtroom, and in prison. Sleep symbolizes:______.

List some other motifs:

ANTIHERO: a protagonist that lacks the traditional heroic qualities such as bravery, strength, cunning, wisdom, and extraordinary physical ability; a failure who cannot overcome the pressure of outside circumstances

ANTICHRIST: the chief enemy of Christ; one who opposes all Christian values and beliefs.

Discuss Meursault’s behavior. Is he the Anti-Christ—completely without values or morals, bent on destroying God? Or is he an antihero representing the struggle of every man and woman to make sense of the world?

Anti-ChristAnti-Hero