What is the author's tone in Mythologies by Roland Barthes?

While there is a definite tone of intellectual, academic objectivity about the book, there are points at which the author's commentary, as opposed to his theories, is sarcastic and at other times almost patronizing. In Section 1 in particular, when he points out the shallowness in the meanings and manipulations of myths in popular culture, there is the sense that he is barely able to keep his contempt and amusement in check. Throughout Section 1 there is an uneasy blend of the subjective and objective, made even more so by the fact that the author clearly intends his theories to be perceived as scientifically and analytically sound. Section 2 is much more unified in tone, with the analytical aspect of the author's perspective being the dominant tonal quality.