AP Prose Practice Test: The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle

In the passage from the novel, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle by Tobias Smollet

portrays complex emotions and social property through the dialogue between the two characters,

and the tone of the passage. Tone and dialogue can drastically change the way a story is read and

understood. Smollet exaggerates the dialogue between his character to engage his audience and

draw them into the story.

In the passage, Peregrine Pickle is fighting for the love of Godfrey Gauntlet’s sister. In

the beginning of the story the dialogue between the men is calm and curious, slowly introducing

the reader and making the readers feel the same emotions as the characters. “‘I demand it in the

capacity of a brother, jealous of his own honour, as well as of his sister’s reputation; and if your

intentions are honourable, you will not refuse it.”’(lines 6-9) Gauntlet is curious about Pickle and

his intentions with his sister, Emilia. The tone through the first paragraph is the same as this

sentence. ‘“You are mistaken,’ said Godfrey; ‘I dare do anything that becomes the character of a

gentleman.’—‘Gentleman, God wot!”’(18-20) As Pickle explains that he is a Gentleman and his

intentions are all well, Gauntlet becomes astonished with the title Pickle has given himself. This

creates tension between the two of them which the reader can feel, creating a yearn to read more.

Towards the end of the passage the tone and narrative pace become strong and overwhelming.

“He made no reply, but attacked his adversary with equal ferocity and address. The youth parried

his first and second thrust, but received the third in the outside of his sword — arm.”(46-49) The

literary techniques within the section of the passage become magnetizing and engrossed with the

book and the way the author presents the words on the pages. He then ends it with, “then

advising the owner to treat a gentleman in distress with more respect for the future, he slipped on
his boots, and with sullen dignity of demeanour stalked back to the inn.”(63-65) The tone ends

the story in a calm and eased mood. Making the reader feel happy and wanting more.

Tone and dialogue plays an extremely important role in writing and reading. The tone

and narrative pace keep your reader engaged while the dialogue keeps the reader's imagination

flowing. Just as Smollet did, he gave dialogue and context to help the reader understand the

situation. Then the author changes the tone to make the story exciting and satisfying.