What is the tone of this chapter. Compare it with the tone of the first etymology - why might they be similar?

The tone of the first and the last sections is informational.... without emotion. In the postscript, we see that Ishmael has brought the story full circle, that the Biblical allusion used in both sections, intimates Ishmael as the only survivor..... the storyteller.

"And I am escaped alone to tell thee...."