Take a story's temperature by studying its tone. Is it hopeful? Cynical? Snarky? Playful?
Serious, Blunt, And Sometimes Humorous
We feel like we're at a rally! The mostly serious and blunt tone of The Autobiography of Malcolm X gives us the feeling that we are listening to Malcolm X deliver one of his rousing and powerful speeches. There is no doubt that it couldn't be anyone but him telling this story.
The story can veer straight from a recollection of Malcolm X's childhood into a political diatribe. This is just one of many examples:
The black man in North America was sickest of all politically. He let the white man divide him into such foolishness as considering himself a black "Democrat," a black "Republican," a black "Conservative," or a black "Liberal" . . . when a ten-million black vote bloc could be the deciding balance of power in American politics, because the white man's vote is almost always evenly divided. [...] Listen, let me tell you something! If a black bloc committee told Washington's worst "n*****-hater," "We represent ten million votes," why, that "n*****-hater" would leap up: "Well, how are you? Come on in here!" (16.163)
Just like in his speeches, Malcolm X doesn't shy away from racial or controversial topics. He just says it like it is. This gives us the feeling that we are listening to his real thoughts. If the autobiography were told in a different tone, leaders would be confused. For example if, instead of mirroring Malcolm X's speech, the story were told in a high literary style we would probably think that it was inauthentic.
But there is also another side that we are shown: Malcolm X's humorous side. You kind of have to crack up when he says: "The roads offered the wildest drives that I had ever known: nightmare traffic, brakes squealing, skidding cars, and horns blowing. (I believe that all of the driving in the Holy Land is done in the name of Allah)" (18.3). There's no way he said that with a straight face.
But how does humor fit into all of this? Remember that The Autobiography of Malcolm X is an autobiography. It’s supposed to be an intimate look into his life. So, just giving us more of what we see when we read about Malcolm X or watch him on TV is not enough. The humorous tone that creeps into the narrative every now and then gives us a peek into the softer, more human side of this famous man. You get to feel like you are best pals and he's just sitting around joking with you.