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Metaphors
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 mood of “Grace” is a primarily humorous and lighthearted one despite the emotionally heavy content. Kernan is struggling with a genuinely difficult situation—he has a binge-drinking problem that has led to personal and professional decline as well as an injury—and yet Joyce primarily focuses on a pleasant conversation he has with his friends and on the farcical Catholic sermon they listen to.
It is notable that Kernan’s friends—Power, Cunningham, and M’Coy—come over with to have an intervention for his drinking but end up dealing with it in a lighthearted way, as seen in the following passage:
There was a short silence. Mr Kernan waited to see whether he would be taken into his friends’ confidence. Then he asked:
—What’s in the wind?
—O, it’s nothing, said Mr Cunningham. It’s only a little matter that we’re arranging about for Thursday.
—The opera, is it? said Mr Kernan.
—No, no, said Mr Cunningham in an evasive tone, it’s just a little ... spiritual matter.
—O, said Mr Kernan.
There was silence again. Then Mr Power said, point blank:
—To tell you the truth, Tom, we’re going to make a retreat.
Related Themes:
