Final answer:
The tone of the narrator in narratives from the past may resonate differently with contemporary readers due to the evolution in scientific understanding and societal changes. Today's readers are generally more scientifically literate and exposed to a more diverse range of voices in literature, contrasting with the more narrow readership of the Atlantic magazine in 1898.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the impact of the narrator's tone on readers of the past versus today requires considering the historical context and scientific literacy of each era. In 1898, readers of the Atlantic magazine, who were the original audience for Harding Davis's story, were generally well-educated, financially secure, and part of the middle or upper class. This contrasted starkly with the iron workers portrayed in the story and their disconnection from nature.
As society evolved since the late nineteenth century, the impact of science and technology has greatly altered the way readers perceive literature. Today's readers, benefiting from the easy access to scientific knowledge and technological advancements, may find certain historical narratives either quaint or difficult to relate to in terms of technological advancement and the understanding of nature.
Poets like Arthur Hugh Clough and modernist and postmodernist authors like Don Delillo and David Foster Wallace have further influenced our understanding of literature and culture. Today's textbooks incorporating nonwhite voices contrast with ones from thirty years ago, indicating evolving cultural perceptions that affect literary education.