what is the tone of "the pines"?
http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/lit_terms_T.html
"TONE: The means of creating a relationship or conveying an attitude or mood. By looking carefully at the choices an author makes (in characters, incidents, setting; in the work's stylistic choices and diction, etc.), careful readers often can isolate the tone of a work and sometimes infer from it the underlying attitudes that control and color the story or poem as a whole. The tone might be formal or informal, playful, ironic, optimistic, pessimistic, or sensual. To illustrate the difference, two different novelists might write stories about capitalism. Author #1 creates a tale in which an impoverished but hard-working young lad pulls himself out of the slums when he applies himself to his education, and he becomes a wealthy, contented middle-class citizen who leaves his past behind him, never looking back at that awful human cesspool from which he rose. Author #2 creates a tale in which a dirty street-rat skulks his way out of the slums by abandoning his family and going off to college, and he greedily hoards his money in a gated community and ignores the suffering of his former "equals," whom he leaves behind in his selfish desire to get ahead. Note that both author #1 and author #2 basically present the same plotline. While the first author's writing creates a tale of optimism and hope, the second author shapes the same tale into a story of bitterness and cynicism. The difference is in their respective tones--the way they convey their attitudes about particular characters and subject-matter. Note that in poetry, tone is often called voice."
http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/lit_terms/terms/3terms.html#Tone
So ... how would you characterize the author's attitude toward his characters and their words and actions?
=)
To determine the tone of "The Pines," you will need to closely analyze the author's use of various literary elements such as characters, incidents, setting, style, and diction. The tone is the author's attitude or mood that is conveyed through these choices.
To begin, carefully read the story and pay attention to the way the author presents the characters. Consider how the author describes their appearance, actions, and words. Are the characters portrayed positively, negatively, or neutrally? Are they presented in a sympathetic or critical light?
Next, examine the incidents or events that occur in the story. Pay attention to the emotions and reactions of the characters. Are there any specific incidents that evoke a strong emotional response from the author or the characters? This can provide insights into the overall tone.
Also, consider the setting of the story. Is it described in a way that creates a certain atmosphere or mood? For example, if the setting is described as gloomy or foreboding, it may indicate a darker or more negative tone.
The style and diction used by the author are also important. Does the author use formal or informal language? Is the writing playful, ironic, optimistic, pessimistic, sensual, or some combination of these? Look for specific words or phrases that help convey the author's attitude.
By carefully examining these elements, you can begin to isolate the tone of "The Pines" and infer the underlying attitudes that shape the story as a whole. It's important to remember that different readers may interpret the tone differently, so it can be helpful to discuss your analysis with others and consider their perspectives as well.