Comparing and Contrasting Tone 

Remember, when you're talking about tone, you should be focused on choices made by the writer(s).

Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities": In Dickens' novel, the tone oscillates between somber reflection and urgent condemnation, capturing the tumultuous period of the French Revolution. His language is rich with imagery and metaphor, emphasizing stark contrasts between social classes and the brutal realities of revolution. For example, the opening lines, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," introduce a tone of paradoxical optimism and despair that pervades the narrative. As Dickens describes the poverty and injustice faced by the common people, such as in the scene of the storming of the Bastille, the tone becomes increasingly urgent and impassioned, urging readers to confront the harsh realities of inequality and revolution.

F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby": Contrastingly, Fitzgerald's tone in "The Great Gatsby" is nostalgic and elegiac, portraying the glittering Jazz Age of 1920s America. His prose is lyrical and sophisticated, focusing on themes of decadence, illusion, and the American Dream. For instance, Fitzgerald's description of Gatsby's extravagant parties creates a tone of opulence and superficiality, contrasting with the underlying sense of longing and unfulfilled desires. The tone becomes more introspective as Fitzgerald explores the disillusionment and moral decay beneath the facade of wealth and social status, particularly in the tragic downfall of Jay Gatsby.

Comparison: Both novels employ tone effectively to convey deeper themes and social commentary. Dickens uses a direct and moralistic tone, urging readers to reflect on societal injustices and the consequences of revolution. His impassioned language and vivid imagery evoke a sense of collective upheaval and moral urgency. In contrast, Fitzgerald's tone is more ambiguous and introspective, inviting readers to question the nature of ambition and the pursuit of happiness in a materialistic society. His sophisticated prose and nuanced characterization reveal the complexities of individual desires and the fleeting nature of the American Dream.

Contrast: While Dickens' tone is characterized by a sense of urgency and moral outrage, exemplified in scenes of revolution and sacrifice, Fitzgerald's tone is characterized by a sense of disillusionment and melancholy, particularly evident in the tragic fates of Gatsby and other characters. Dickens focuses on the collective experience of a society in turmoil, highlighting the consequences of oppression and inequality. In contrast, Fitzgerald delves into the personal struggles and illusions of individual characters within a wealthy and glamorous milieu, exposing the emptiness and moral decay beneath the surface of apparent prosperity.