ARTIFACT 2: Fiction Forum 2 Letter 1

Good evening,

Alison Baker’s Better Be Ready ‘Bout Half Past Eight is a short story about a slightly under middle-aged respected scientist named Byron whose best friend, colleague, and godfather of his baby son has just decided that he is actually a woman. Byron’s friend/fellow scientist, named Zach (at the beginning of the story before he changes his name to Zoe) seeks Byron’s support as he undergoes physical changes to become “who I’ve been all along,” Zoe says about herself (313, line 304).

Byron’s tone as he narrated the story made very clear his thoughts, confusion, and emotions he was experiencing as this new experience occurred with a man he thought he had deeply and personally known for the last twenty years. Byron portrays a sarcastic tone when Zoe says, “I really am thinking of law school… I need to change my life,” and Byron responds by saying, “Changing your sex isn’t enough?” (313, lines 302-3). By the clear display of Byron’s tone, I had an easier time understanding what he was feeling and/or thinking just by reading the words he was saying.

Byron’s sarcasm and lack of understanding of Zach’s decision to become a woman is also shown through his tone during many of his conversations with his wife, Emily. Take this dialogue for example:
“A shower?” Byron said.
“Isn’t it a kick?” Emily said. “Gifts like garter belts and strawberry
douches.”
“That’s sick,” he said.
“Oh come on, honey. His men friends are invited too… It’ll be fun.”
“Why don’t we just play red rover?” Byron said. “All the girls can stand on
one side and yell, ‘Let Zach come on over.’”
“You act as if you’ve lost your best friend,” Emily said.
“I am losing him. I’ve known him for twenty years and suddenly I find out
he’s the opposite of what I thought he was,” (307, lines 159-66).

My question for the class is how do we know we are not giving what we read a specific tone that may not be what the writer was trying to portray?

Sincerely,

Jennifer H. ENGL 202