Fish Cheeks

The tone of this essay is conversational, meaning that the author’s choice of language and syntax reflect that of common conversation, rather than that of formal, academic writing. Tone, in a more general literary context, signals the attitude and state of mind of the narrator. Tan’s conversational tone relaxes the reader and creates an element of intimacy, as when she signals the beginning of the much-anticipated dinner: “And then they arrived—the minister’s family and all my relatives” (Paragraph 4). The essay recalls an event from when Tan was 14 years old, so the tone also reflects the anxiety and discomfort that a teenage girl would have in the presence of her crush. Some statements appear almost hyperbolic. The author ignores Robert as if he is “not worthy of existence” (Paragraph 4), and dinner throws her “deeper into despair” (Paragraph 5). This informal syntax produces the sensation that the author is relating the events of the essay as if to a friend. It is as if the story is being told orally. In a personal narrative, manipulating tone effectively is essential, as the author relies on the reader’s emotional engagement and sympathy in order to convey their themes.