Hell in a Handbag strikes me as an interesting name for a story. The author, Mr. Hall, used various tones, diction, syntax and imagery to tell the story.
The tone in the passage starts off very happy and excited as the main character is dreaming of his fantasy of winning an Oscar. However, after he wakes up the tone shifts to disappointment and unhappiness. An example of diction affecting the tone is when Hall says “I am so glad I didn't cry” (Hall 3) and “My speech kicks ass.” (Hall 3) It makes the tone of that part of the passage very happy. The main character seems overwhelmed with confidence and pride. Although, when he wakes up and says “Suddenly it was gone. The stage. The audience. Leo. All of it. Gone.”(Hall 3) or