Final answer:
In "The Lottery," by Shirley Jackson, the tone of lines 59-79 is ominous, created through unsettling details that contrast with the ordinary setting, ultimately leading to the shocking conclusion of the story.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tone in literature is the attitude or emotional atmosphere the author creates through their use of language. In Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery," the tone that is expressed in lines 59-79 is best described as ominous. This tone is achieved through words, phrases, and descriptions that create a sense of unease or foreboding, even though the events may seem ordinary on the surface. The reaction of the townspeople, the subtle hints to the unusual nature of the lottery, and the lack of joy in what could be a festive gathering all contribute to this ominous atmosphere. The description by LibreTexts™ of an "average" New England village engaged in a "deadly rite" underscores the normalcy that masks the impending horror, keeping the reader in the dark until the story's brutal conclusion becomes clear.