What is tone? Didn't understand until now.

I was always confused when it came to tone. I really didn't understand it's importance until I learned about it a little more in Mrs. Elliott's class, but now i have a clear understanding as to why tone is really important in literature. Tone enriches or modifies the meanings of spoken words.We are all familiar with the great variety of tones possible in speech. We may be put off by a note of condescension, or whining, or aggressiveness. We can be comforted by tones that are sympathetic or soothing. We find ourselves persuaded not only by cogent reasons, but by the sounds of patient reasoning. We often sense that a person is saying something quite different from what his words convey: his words may be calm, but his voice agitated; or his words may be pleasant, while his entire manner speaks of impatience or dislike. Words of praise are easily turned into words of scorn by a touch of irony in the voice. It all makes sense to me now. -Zaid H.