THE RIVER AND THE SOURCE - TONE DEVELOPMENT

·         Tone development

Tone development is the way an author or a director of a literary work reveals the tone of a literary work and the mood of the characters. In the novel “The River and the Source” Margaret ogola has revealed the tone and mood of the novel in the following ways:

        I.            Through events taking place in the novel.

The events taking place in the novel have helped to reveal the tone of the novel and the mood of the characters. For example the death of Obura sets the tone of the novel to be gloomy and sombre and the mood of the characters to be that of sorrow and sadness. The eventual death of Akoko reveals the anger and bitterness experienced by those who have been affected by her death. Other events such as marriage and birth reveal the excitement and hope exhibited by characters presented in the novel.

      II.            Through the themes in the novel.

Themes such as death, misfortunes, conflicts, oppression, resentment, accusations, jealousy etc. reveals just how gloomy and sombre the tone of the novel is while themes such as joy, optimism, friendship, chivalry, encouragement etc. helps to reveal excitement and happiness of the characters in the novel.

    III.            Through the actions of the characters.

The actions that the characters in the novel undertake to do influence the tone and mood of the novel. For example, Mark’s decision to court Elizabeth and Tommy’s action to court Vera sets the tone of the novel to be that of romance and intimacy. There is a lot of anticipation from the readers of the novel when the four characters were courting.

    IV.            Through the monologue of a character.

In the opening of the novel, the monologue of grandmother Nyar alego sets the tone of the novel to a gloomy and sad state because of her lamentations to were and her dead relatives and ancestors. In her monologue she flashes back and reveals to the readers the death of her closest relatives thereby setting the story’s tone.

      V.            Through dialogue between characters.

Conversation between two or more characters in the novel helps to reveal the mood and tone of the novel. For example the conversation between Akoko and Otieno reveals the anger and bitterness that both characters had towards each other. The tone between the two characters also reveals the tone of the novel which was confrontational.

    VI.            Through symbols and images.

Symbols such as objects, characters, settings, actions and events help to analyse the atmosphere in the novel. For example in places where Otieno appears the tone of the novel changes to bitterness and anger since his presence angers Akoko and the readers who have recognised him as the antagonist. His presence is a source of resentment because of the negative qualities that he possesses.

  VII.            Through the setting of the novel.

The injustices that Akoko faced in Sakwa after the death of her husband and her two sons has helped to develop the tone of the novel and the mood of the readers towards her plight. After leaving Sakwa and staying briefly in Yimbo, Akoko peace in Aluor where she had gone to seek a new religion which promised love and hope to the widows and orphans.       

VIII.            Through word choice of the author and the characters.

The speech and choice of words that the author of the novel has used helps to define the tone and mood of the novel. Words such as pandemonium, melee, benevolent, acerbic etc. have helped to set the tone and mood of the novel.

    IX.            Through the conflicts taking place.

The conflicts that appear in the novel help to analyse the mood of the characters and the atmosphere in the novel. Conflicts between Akoko and Otieno reveals the anger and bitterness between the two characters and the tense atmosphere the conflicts bring about in the novel’s plot.

      X.            Through the culture and traditions practiced by a section of the characters in the novel.

The culture of the luo community which the author of the novel has shown to be a bit retrogressive has helped to create the atmosphere of the novel. For example the cultural tradition of wife inheritance which is seen as a mockery to womanhood creates an atmosphere of misery and sympathy.

    XI.            Through the character traits shown by different characters.

The character traits of some of the characters have helped to determine the tone and mood of the novel. Akoko’s traits create an atmosphere of hope, love and admiration whilst Otieno’s traits create an atmosphere of contempt and hostility.

  XII.            Through the thoughts of the characters.

The internal monologues of different characters in the novel have helped to create the mood and tone of the novel. For example the internal monologue of Akoko when she was lamenting of how were had forgotten to create a man good enough to marry her helps to develop her moods and also the tone of the novel.

·         Function of tone and mood

        I.            To develop the characters.

The tone of the novel has helped to develop the character traits of some of the characters in the novel. For example, the tone of the novel when Akoko was born and became sickly helps to determine grandmother Nyar alego’s traits through her speech. In her monologue it is evident that she was sad and bitter after the death of her closest family members.

      II.            To change the pace of the novel.

The pace of the novel changes throughout the story as a result of the events that are taking place. For example the story goes on a slow pace after Akoko’s marriage to chief Owuor kembo but it soon become fast paced after the birth of Obura because of the conflict that arises between Akoko and her mother in law.

    III.            To add pleasure.

The change in the tone and mood of the novel helps to add pleasure to the readers. For example the courtship between Mark and Elizabeth sets the readers into a romantic mood. On the other hand the conversation between Becky and John also helps to add romantic feelings to the readers.

    IV.            To fit the themes.

The tone and mood of the novel has helped to fit the themes of death, birth, courtship, friendship, anger, bitterness, religion etc.

      V.            To help readers come to terms with events taking place in the novel.

Events such as marriage, death, courtship, traditions etc. have helped the readers to mentally prepare themselves for unforeseen events about to take place in the novel’s plot.

    VI.            To enhance literary devices.

Literary devices such as tragedy, catastrophe, suspense, soliloquy, dialogue etc. have been well defined by the tone and mood of the novel.

  VII.            To enhance conflicts taking place in the novel.

Conflicts such as man vs. man and man vs. self have helped to set the atmosphere of the novel and the mood of the characters.