Take a story's temperature by studying its tone. Is it hopeful? Cynical? Snarky? Playful?
Intimate and Distanced
Growing up ain't easy, and fittingly, Manny's tone as our narrator is complicated, too. Sometimes he gives us a tone that's super intimate, like he's letting us in on tons of secrets—and then we turn around, and just like that, he's taken on a distanced attitude.
Manny's Intimate Side
Manny likes to talk to us like we're old chums. That doesn't mean he's always super casual, but it does mean that he often gets pretty personal with his tone. So when he's feeling uncomfortable at Dorothy's party, for instance, his approach to it makes this clear from the get-go:
I put on this big, smeary smile and urged my legs forward. My lungs felt big as balloons. There was a song by the Rolling Stones on the record player. I was nervous, but once I put my hand on the back of my neck, trying to look casual, I felt better. (9.108)
Did you notice how up-close-and-personal Manny gets? He's not holding anything back. His attitude toward readers is intimate as can be, and this means we get to learn just how anxious he is. He gives us lots of details about how he feels and doesn't make us guess one bit.
Manny's Distanced Stance
Sometimes, though, Manny drops his familiar tone and makes us work for our information, like when he tells us that he won't be going to the better school across town this year. Check it out:
Mom's plans to get me transferred didn't work out. The administration said it was too late. There were already too many kids in that school. There was an imbalance in the student body—whatever that meant. They said lots of things, but it all ended with me not transferring. (7.1)
Manny tells us what's up, and that's that—just the facts here, no feelings. And did you notice how nonchalant he sounds? He kind of brushes the whole thing off, as if he doesn't care. Since we know Manny can take up a pretty intimate attitude and let us in on all the little details, it really stands out when he just tells us the facts with no sign of his deeper feelings.
Which tone do you think dominates the book: Manny's intimate side or his distanced one? Are there other tones that you find in Manny's tale? Tell us everything you're thinking… or, you know, don't. Either is cool, especially where Manny's concerned.