Ms. Crandell
AP English Lit
Timed Write: Tone/POV
Read the passage below and in a well-crafted essay, examine either A) the story’s point of view or
B) the tone.
A) What is the effect of the narrative perspective and what does it convey about the characters’
relationships? (You might address: Does the point of view shift? Is it a blend of more than one
perspective? You might focus on humor, irony, ambiguity, and other effects.)
B) What is the predominant tone of the passage and what does it convey about the characters’
relationships? (Consider what specific words or phrases contribute to it and whether syntax plays a
role in establishing tone.)
“All right,” Ammu said. “That’s enough. Both of you. Come out of there, Rahel!”
Inside the curtain, Rahel closed her eyes and thought of the green river, of the quiet deepswimming fish, and the gossamer wings of the dragonflies (that could see behind them) in the sun.
She thought of her luckiest fishing rod that Velutha had made for her. Yellow bamboo with a float
that dipped every time a foolish fish enquired. She thought of Velutha and wished she was with
him.
Then Estha unraveled her. The cement kangaroos were watching.
Ammu looked at them. The Air was quiet except for the sound of Baby Kochamma’s
throbbing neckmole.
“So,” Ammu said.
And it was really a question. So?
And it hadn’t an answer.
Ambassador Estha looked down, and saw that his shoes (from where the angry feelings
rose) were beige and pointy. Ambassador Rahel looked down and saw that in her Bata sandals her
toes were trying to disconnect themselves. Twitching to join someone else’s feet. And that she
couldn’t stop them. Soon she’d be without toes and have a bandage like the leper at the level
crossing.
“If you ever,” Ammu said, “and I mean this, EVER, ever again disobey me in Public, I will
see to it that you are sent away to somewhere where you will jolly well learn to behave. Is that
clear?”
When Ammu was really angry, she said Jolly Well. Jolly Well was a deeply well with larfing
dead people in it.
“Is. That. Clear?” Ammu said again.
Frightened eyes and a fountain looked back at Ammu.
Sleepy eyes and a surprised puff looked back at Ammu.
Two heads nodded three times.
Yes. It’s. Clear.
But Baby Kochamma was dissatisfied with the fizzling out of a situation that had been so full
of potential. She tossed her head.
“As if!” she said.
As if!
Ammu turned to her, and the turn of her head was a question.
“It’s useless,” Baby Kochamma said. “They’re sly. They’re uncouth. Deceitful. They’re
growing wild. You can’t manage them.”
(See Reverse)
Ammu turned back to Estha and Rahel and her eyes were blurred jewels.
“Everybody says that children need a Baba. And I say no. Not my children. D’you know
why?”
Two heads nodded.
“Why. Tell me,” Ammu said.
And not together, but almost, Esthappen and Rahel said:
“Because you’re our Ammu and our Baba and you love us Double.”
“More than Double,” Ammu said. “So remember what I told you. People’s feelings are
precious. And when you disobey me in Public, everybody gets the wrong impression.”