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Difficulty: MediumTextual Tone, Mood, and Atmosphere

Read the dramatic excerpt below carefully:

ADE: (Pacing the narrow confines of the prison cell, his voice barely above a whisper as he traces the damp stone wall)
"They believe these iron bars can contain the truth we sowed in the market square. Let them double the guards and bar the gates; every word we spoke in the ears of the youth will sprout when the rains return."

What is the dominant tone of Ade's speech in the excerpt above?

  1. Resolute and optimisticAnswer
  2. B
    Sombre and hopeless
  3. C
    Melancholic and regretful
  4. D
    Hostile and vengeful

Answer

The dominant tone of Ade's speech is resolute and optimistic.
The speaker demonstrates unwavering determination by asserting that confinement cannot suppress their truth. Furthermore, using the imagery of seeds sprouting when the rains return highlights a bright, hopeful outlook on the future, making the tone resolute and optimistic.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the speaker's choice of words and metaphors.
Ade uses phrases like 'iron bars cannot contain' and 'every word... will sprout when the rains return', which convey firm belief and hope.
Authorial or character tone is determined by evaluating word choice and figurative language.
2
Differentiate between the physical setting and the character's emotional stance.
Although the prison cell creates a dark atmosphere, Ade's internal attitude remains courageous and forward-looking.
Distinguishing tone (speaker attitude) from atmosphere/mood (environmental setting) avoids mistaking a dismal setting for defeat.

Key Concept

Distinguishing Character Tone from Environmental Atmosphere
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Textual Tone, Mood, and Atmosphere

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