Definition of Mood
The mood of Sons and Lovers is generally contemplative and solemn. Lawrence establishes mood primarily through figurative language and detailed, descriptive imagery, usually of the surrounding landscape or setting characters find themselves in. In the below passage from Chapter 6, for example, Lawrence uses vivid imagery to evoke grief and despair in the reader when Paul and the rest of his family wait for William's coffin to arrive:
Paul went to the bay window and looked out. The ash tree stood monstrous and black in front of the wide darkness. It was a faintly luminous night [...] There was the noise of the wheels. Outside in the darkness of the street below, Paul could see horses and a black vehicle, one lamp and a few pale faces then some men, all miners in their shirt sleeves, seemed to struggle in the obscurity. The yellow lamp of the carriage shone alone down in the black road.
The mood of Sons and Lovers is generally contemplative and solemn. Lawrence establishes mood primarily through figurative language and detailed, descriptive imagery, usually of the surrounding landscape or setting characters find themselves in. In the below passage from Chapter 6, for example, Lawrence uses vivid imagery to evoke grief and despair in the reader when Paul and the rest of his family wait for William's coffin to arrive:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Paul went to the bay window and looked out. The ash tree stood monstrous and black in front of the wide darkness. It was a faintly luminous night [...] There was the noise of the wheels. Outside in the darkness of the street below, Paul could see horses and a black vehicle, one lamp and a few pale faces then some men, all miners in their shirt sleeves, seemed to struggle in the obscurity. The yellow lamp of the carriage shone alone down in the black road.