Cannery Row
by John Steinbeck

Cannery Row: 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 6
Explanation and Analysis:

The mood of Cannery Row is layered and inconsistent. A single paragraph or sentence can inspire an entire range of emotional responses from a reader as the characters and narrator waffle between competing ideas and feelings. The following passage from Doc's conversation with Hazel about stink bugs in chapter 6 exemplifies the way mood can shift instantaneously in the novel:

“The remarkable thing,” said Doc, “isn’t that they put their tails up in the air—the really incredibly remarkable thing is that we find it remarkable. We can only use ourselves as yardsticks. If we did something as inexplicable and strange we’d probably be praying—so maybe they’re praying.”