Mood
A Tale of Two Cities
by Charles Dickens

A Tale of Two Cities: 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
Mood
Explanation and Analysis:

The prevailing mood in A Tale of Two Cities is one of ominous anticipation. Dickens’s heavy use of foreshadowing prepares readers for the violence to come and cautions them about the harmful effects of exploiting the poor and seeking vengeance. Dickens establishes this mood in the very opening pages of the novel, as he describes the corruption of the clergy, alludes to the rising unrest in France and England, and hints at devastation that will follow.