A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

by James Joyce

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man: Mood 1 key example

Definition of Mood

The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes in the reader. Every aspect of a piece of writing... read full definition
The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes in the reader. Every aspect... read full definition
The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes... read full definition
Chapter 1, Part 2
Explanation and Analysis:

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man conveys many moods. It begins in a happy mood that transitions into melancholy, flamboyance, tragedy, and seriousness. For example, the beginning of Chapter 1, Part 1 has a lighthearted, childish mood that shifts rather abruptly into a more melancholy scene in Chapter 1, Part 2:

The wide playgrounds were swarming with boys. All were shouting and the prefects urged them on with strong cries. The evening air was pale and chilly and after every charge and thud of the foot-ballers the greasy leather orb flew like a heavy bird through the grey light. He kept on the fringe of his line, out of sight of his prefect, out of the reach of the rude feet, feigning to run now and then. He felt his body small and weak amid the throng of players and his eyes were weak and watery.