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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 "Runaway" is generally dark and gloomy but fluctuates according to Carla's changing circumstances. The story opens by describing Carla's dread about Sylvia's arrival, quickly establishing a negative atmosphere. Munro uses descriptions of the natural environment to externalize Carla's emotional landscape and shift the mood of the narrative. At first, the rainy weather emphasizes this negativity. Munro writes:
This was the summer of rain and more rain...The trails were deep in mud, the long grass soaking, leaves overhead sending down random showers even in those moments when there was no actual downpour from the sky and the clouds looked like clearing.
Even at the moments when the sky seems hopeful, raindrops still fall. The persistence of the rain and gloom represents the larger, pessimistic mood of the story. However, when Sylvia helps Carla plot her escape, things appear more hopeful. Once on the bus, Carla looks out the window and observes:
The whole countryside was changing, shaking itself loose, into the true brightness of a July day. And as they sped along she was able to see not much trace at all of the recent past—no big puddles in the fields, showing where the seed had washed out, no miserable spindly cornstalks or lodged grain.
This bright, summery description contrasts with the previously dreary scene and cultivates a new feeling of hope about Carla's future. The wet, gloomy spells seems to have lifted, and the "big puddles" seem to have dried up. Like the countryside, Carla seems to be "changing, shaking [herself] loose".
Yet, the positive mood is short-lived. Struck by sadness and fear in the face of a future without Clark, Carla decides to return to her old life. Once Carla reunites with Clark, the mood of the story appears suspiciously upbeat:
The pasture grass and even the poor beaten crops lifted up their heads. The puddles dried up, the mud turned to dust. A light warm wind blew and everybody felt like doing things again.
This illusion of niceness is interrupted when Carla discovers Clark has likely killed her beloved goat. As the story closes with the arrival of the fall, "an encouraging and profitable season," Carla "got used to the sharp thought that had lodged in her." While Carla seems to reacclimate to her life with Clark, the mood seems dark. The "sharp thought" sticks with Carla, only she has gotten used to it. Unable to bring herself to leave or to look for Flora's remains, Carla remains trapped in an abusive relationship, and the story ends on a pessimistic note.
Related Themes:
