Take a story's temperature by studying its tone. Is it hopeful? Cynical? Snarky? Playful?
Humorous, Sarcastic, Understated
Humor and sarcasm are where the author lives in this story. Jim is the vehicle for their expression, and the book consists mainly of all his hilariously sarcastic observations and comments. Bear with Shmoop as we present one of our favorite (but pretty long) passages. Here, Bertrand has just told Jim that he's shown Gore-Urquhart his paintings, and that one or two of them seemed to "fetch him." (10.50)
Fetch him a vomiting-basin, Dixon thought; then horror overcame him at the thought of a man who "knows what he's talking about" not only not talking about how nasty Bertrand's pictures were, not only not putting his boot through them, but actually seeming to be fetched by one or two of them. Bertrand must not be a good painter; he, Dixon, would not permit it. And yet here was the Gore-Itchbag fellow, not on the face of it a moron, listening to this frenzy of self-advertisement without overt protest, even with some attention. […] Dixon couldn't bear not missing any more of it—Bertrand was now using the phrase "contrapuntal tone values" […]. (10.49)
Amis also makes use of understatement to convey a dry British humor. For example, after Jim's disastrous lecture, Michie asks him:
"Been a row about it, I suppose? Or haven't they had time to get around to it yet?"
"Oh yes, they've had time."
"Bad row, was it?"
"Well yes, as these things go. I've got the push." (23.31-34)
Kind of an understated way of describing the fallout from the drunken lecture and the total end of Jim's career. Michie's the master of restraint—remember when he walks in right after the fistfight between Jim and Bertrand? He goes on to inform Jim about the enrollment in his advanced class, both of them politely ignoring Bertrand lying on the floor. So British.