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In many ways, the tone of this book is inseparable from its perspective. Because it is (at least ostensibly) written from the perspective of a loyal, admiring pupil, the tone is likewise loyally admiring and quite subjective. Yes, there are times when the object of that admiration (Socrates) takes on a somewhat sharper, almost angrier tone with those to whom he is speaking, but overall the tone is reverent and respectful. There are also moments, however, when the reader might feel lectured, or talked down to. In spite of Socrates' claims of altruism, of wanting to help and/or to guide those to whom he's speaking, there is occasionally the sense that he is keeping both arrogance and self-righteousness barely in check. Again, the question is whether this is truly Socrates or whether it's Plato's attitudes bleeding into those of the individual he's writing about.