The Bean Trees – Tone

Dont Be Too Serious Lets say that someone handed you something unexpected. It could be anything a computer, book, even a guitar However, what if it was something of great value? What if it was a baby that was handed to you? Odds are, youd in all wishlihood freak out and hand the baby over to the authorities or something similar to that. But non Taylor Greer in the novel The Bean Trees The words that Barbara Kingsolver chooses to drill show a tone of snugity and humor. One way Kingsolver establishes an promiscuous tone is by using long, run on sentences and everyday words.When Taylor gets a chew over at Tuscon after she stops traveling, she says, I lasted six days at the Burger Derby before I got in a fight with the manager and threw my red-so-called jockey cap in the trash compactor and walked out. I would have thrown the whole uniform in there, but I didnt feel like enceinte him a free show (Kingsolver 88). In this quote, Kingsolver shows informality by making the first se ntence extremely long, and the second sentence shows humor when Taylor jokes about not wanting to give him a free show. Kingston also uses words that people use in everyday conversations, thus creating an even more informal tone.Another way Kingsolver shows humor is by what Taylor bring ups the baby that is handed to her. When Taylor first meets Lou Ann, she asks, How do you know her names Turtle? Taylor replies, I dont. I named her that (Kingsolver 97). The fact that Taylor chose to name the baby Turtle shows humor. Taylor could have chosen any other name A name suitable for a baby girl. However, she chose the name Turtle. Turtles are sea animals, and its rare for someone to be named Turtle. Why would Taylor have chosen that particular name for the baby? Kingsolver most likely treasured to convey a light, humorous tone for herAn informal tone is created by Kingsolver when Taylor speaks. When she tells Estavan about feeling like a foreigner, she says Sometimes I feel like a fo reigner too People dont look the same, talk the same, nothing (Kingsolver 181). The first sentence is relatively normal. However, in the second sentence, Kingsolver reveals an informal tone by the way Taylor speaks. The way she talks to people is very informal. Because of this, we know that Kingston is purposely avoiding making Taylor a serious, somber character like she couldve been. Another way that Kingsolver creates an informal tone is by the things Taylor does. I lifted Estevans hand from my ribcage and kissed his palm (Kingsolver 189). This quote reveals an example of how Kingsolver establishes an informal tone with Taylors actions. In this particular quote, Taylor falls asleep with Estevan on a couch. When she wakes up, she thinks about what Esperanza has been through, and makes a conscious decision to leave. Kingsolver could have simply stated, I got away the couch and went to my own bed. However, she chose to create a more informal tone by showing what exactly Taylor did when she was getting off the couch.In this novel, The Bean Trees, by Barbara Kingsolver, a humorous but more informal tone is created by the sentence structure, characters dialogue, and description of events. The tone was effective because it made the novel more interesting, and less dull. Also, it was sluttish to see that Kingsolver used lots of informality and humor in this novel, so that made the tone more noticeable. Because of the tone that Kingsolver created, the main character Taylor Greer was able to go through the negative events in her life a bit better than a more serious character would have been able to.