I having trouble with a question the teacher gave me. "In what tone does the narrator tell the story? How is this tone established?"

"The Lottery Ticket" by Anton Chekhov

Tone, in written composition, is an attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience. Tone is generally conveyed through the choice of words or the viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject. ... The tone can be formal, informal, serious, comic, sarcastic, sad, and cheerful or it may be any other existing attitudes.

http://literarydevices.net/tone/

To determine the tone in a story, it's helpful to analyze the narrator's attitude towards the events and characters in the story. In the case of "The Lottery Ticket" by Anton Chekhov, here's how you can identify the tone and understand how it is established:

1. Read the story: Start by reading the story carefully to grasp the overall mood and emotions conveyed by the narrator. Take note of specific phrases, descriptions, and dialogues that indicate the narrator's sentiments.

2. Analyze the narrator's perspective: Consider the narrator's point of view and how they present the story. Is the narrator objective and detached, or does their voice reflect a specific bias, emotion, or opinion?

3. Evaluate the narrator's language: Pay attention to the specific words and phrases used by the narrator. Look for adjectives, adverbs, and metaphors that hint at the narrator's attitude. Also, consider the narrator's use of humor, irony, or sarcasm.

4. Observe the narrator's portrayal of characters: Consider how the narrator depicts the characters and their actions. Does the narrator sympathize with the characters, criticize them, or remain indifferent? Are the characters described in a positive, negative, or neutral light?

5. Consider the overall atmosphere: Reflect on the general atmosphere created in the story. Is it light-hearted and jovial, dark and ominous, or something else entirely? Assess how the narrator's tone contributes to this atmosphere.

By closely examining the narrator's attitude, word choice, character portrayal, and overall atmosphere, you can determine and describe the tone of "The Lottery Ticket" by Anton Chekhov.