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