The Things They Carried Acquiescent (p. 23): Nostalgic (p. Tone Terms

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Tone and Diction Vocabulary for The Things They Carried

Tone Terms

1.

Acquiescent (p. 23): ready to accept something without protest, or to do what someone else wants.

2.

Nostalgic (p.

27): characterized by or exhibiting feelings of nostalgia.

3.

Confessional (p.

39): (especially of speech or writing) in which a person reveals or admits to private thoughts or past incidents, especially ones that cause shame or embarrassment.

4.

Distrustful (p. 63): unable or unwilling to trust; doubtful; suspicious.

5.

Experienced (p. 79): endured; undergone; suffered through.

6.

Empathetic (p. 127): of, relating to, or characterized by empathy, the psychological identification with the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of others.

7.

Apprehensive (p. 129): anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen.

8.

Poignant (p. 57 and 134): evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret.

9.

Defensive (p. 136): used or intended to defend or protect; very anxious to challenge or avoid criticism.

10.

Cynical (p. 15 and 144): distrusting or disparaging the motives of others, like or characteristic of a cynic; showing contempt for accepted standards of honesty or morality by one's actions, especially by actions that exploit the scruples of others.

11.

Powerless (p. 149): without ability, influence, or power.

12.

Estranged (p. 150): (of a person) no longer close or affectionate to someone; alienated.

13.

Penitent (p. 153): feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentant.

14.

Tolerant (p. 156): showing willingness to allow the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.

15.

Despondent (p. 157): in low spirits from loss of hope or courage.

16.

Derisive (p. 165): expressing contempt or ridicule.

17.

Solemn (p. 170-71): not cheerful or smiling; serious.

18.

Reverent (p. 174): feeling or showing deep and solemn respect.

19.

Awe (p. 175): a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.

20.

Indignant (p. 177): feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment.

21.

Intimate (p. 179): closely acquainted; familiar, close; private and personal.

22.

Sentimental (p. 182): of or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia.

23.

Apathetic (p. 184): showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.

24.

Bitter (p. 193): (of people or their feelings or behavior) angry, hurt, or resentful because of one's bad experiences or a sense of unjust treatment.

25.

Disdainful (p. 200): showing contempt or lack of respect.

26.

Desensitized (p. 222): make (someone) less likely to feel shock or distress at scenes of cruelty, violence, or suffering by overexposure to such images.

27.

Reflective (p. 228): relating to or characterized by deep thought; thoughtful.

28.

Reminiscent (p. 233): (of a person or their manner) absorbed in or suggesting absorption in memories.

29.

Optimistic (p. 236): hopeful and confident about the future.

30.

Forthright (p. 240): (of a person or their manner or speech) direct and outspoken; straightforward and honest.

Diction Terms

31.

Elusive (p. 2): difficult to find, catch, or achieve.

32.

Intransitive (p. 4): not passing further; kept; detained.

33.

Sober (p. 4): having or showing a very serious attitude or quality.

34.

Soldiering (p. 15): continuing on through difficult times.

35.

Abiding (p. 16): lasting a long time; enduring.

36.

Resignation (p. 20): an act of giving up a position or the acceptance of something undesirable but inevitable.

37.

Gravity (p. 22): extreme or alarming importance; seriousness.

38.

Mortificaition (p. 22): great embarrassment and shame.

39.

Laxity (p. 25): the quality or condition of being loose.

40.

Muck (p. 32): dirt, rubbish, or waste matter.

41.

Conviction (p. 39): a firmly held belief or opinion.

42.

Platitude (p. 45): a remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful.

43.

Reticence (p. 51): inclined to be silent or uncommunicative in speech; reserved.

44.

Unpeopled (p. 55): containing no people.

45.

Tangible (p. 55): perceptible by touch.

46.

Vigil (p. 56): a period of keeping awake during the time usually spent asleep, especially to keep watch or to pray.

47.

Rectitude (p. 68): morally correct behavior or thinking; righteousness.

48.

Seemingness (p. 71): the quality or state of semblance.

49.

Ambiguity (p. 82): uncertainty or inexactness of meaning.

50.

Sadism (p. 87): the tendency to derive pleasure from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation in others; deliberate cruelty.

51.

Naïve (p. 98): showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment; natural and unaffected; innocent.

52.

Vaporous (p. 105): full or abounding in vapor; foggy; misty.

53.

Balked (p. 115): hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking.

54.

Invulnerable (p. 118): impossible to harm or damage.

55.

Metaphoric (p. 159): the quality or state of being respresentative or symbolic.

56.

Valor (p. 161): great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle.

57.

Mausoleum (p. 182): a building, especially a large and stately one, housing a tomb or tombs.

58.

Fraternity (p. 194): the state or feeling of friendship and mutual support within a group; brotherhood.

59.

Zeal (p. 203): great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.

60.

Morale (p. 206): the confidence, enthusiasm, and discipline of a person or group at a particular time

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