Definition of Mood
Key Examples in And Then There Were None
The mood of the novel is fearful, befitting its macabre story of death and retribution. After the murder of General MacArthur, none of the guests can deny the presence of a murderer on Soldier Island. Some of the men search the island for an intruder but do not find one, forcing the guests to accept that the murderer is among them and contributing to the fearful and tense mood:
“May I get you some more coffee, Miss Brent?”
“Miss Claythorne, a slice of ham?”
“Another piece of toast?”Six people, all outwardly self-possessed and normal. And within? Thoughts that ran round in a circle like squirrels in a cage…. “What next? What next? Who? Which?” “Would it work? I wonder. It’s worth trying. If there’s time. My God, if there’s time….” “Religious mania, that’s the ticket … Looking at her, though, you can hardly believe it … Suppose I’m wrong….” “It’s crazy—everything’s crazy. I’m going crazy. Wool disappearing—red silk curtains—it doesn’t make sense. I can’t get the hang of it….”