Lord of the Flies

by William Golding

Lord of the Flies: 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:

As the events of the novel progress, the reader may feel an increasing sense of dread. Even when nothing bad is happening, the creepy imagery that Golding uses to describe the island adds to the dark mood. The novel contains many moments of violence, starting with the plane crash that has killed the pilot, "scarred" the island landscape, and stranded the boys. The parachutist's corpse and pig's skull—both of which are decaying signs of death that humans have caused—add to this sense of dread, even if the reader believes they have nothing supernatural about them. The boys themselves become a source of fear for the reader, not only because they hunt and kill, but also because they dance ritualistically and paint their faces, acts which seem to diminish their humanity.