If you are what you eat

Then you must match your meat
To whatever great thing you’d become.
Mathematicians, eat adder!
Buy ‘crown’ rib for the hatter!
If you want brilliant zombies—feed brains! (lines 33-38)
Describe the tone in this excerpt. What words and phrases contribute to this tone? Write your answer in the space below, using textual evidence to support your response.

1 answer

The tone of this excerpt is whimsical and playful, characterized by a light-hearted and humorous approach to the idea of identity and consumption. The use of rhyme and rhythm adds to the playful nature of the writing, creating an engaging and entertaining atmosphere.

Words and phrases such as “match your meat,” “great thing you’d become,” and “brilliant zombies—feed brains!” contribute to this whimsical tone. The phrase "match your meat" suggests a whimsical play on language, implying that one should be mindful of what they consume based on their aspirations or identity. The alliteration in "Buy ‘crown’ rib for the hatter!" adds to the playful sound of the lines, highlighting the cleverness in the suggestion of combining food with profession or roles, such as a 'hatter' who wears a hat.

Overall, the light-hearted word choices and the imaginative connections between food and identity create an enjoyable and quirky tone, making the reader smile while contemplating the humorous implications of “you are what you eat.”