Mood
The Awakening
by Kate Chopin
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The Awakening: 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

Key Examples in The Awakening

Chapter 3
Explanation and Analysis:

The novel’s mood shifts from solemn to lighthearted romantic and back to solemn, which mirrors Edna’s transformation as she slowly becomes aware of her inner life and emotions and begins to live more independently. In Chapter 3, Edna begins to cry after Mr Pontellier reproaches her for neglecting her duties as a wife and mother. In a moment of mournful solitude, she steps outside: 

It was then past midnight. The cottages were all dark. A single faint light gleamed out from the hallway of the house. There was no sound abroad except the hooting of an old owl in the top of a water-oak, and the everlasting voice of the sea, that was not uplifted at that soft hour. It broke like a mournful lullaby upon the night. 

Chapter 19
Explanation and Analysis:

The novel’s mood shifts from solemn to lighthearted romantic and back to solemn, which mirrors Edna’s transformation as she slowly becomes aware of her inner life and emotions and begins to live more independently. In Chapter 3, Edna begins to cry after Mr Pontellier reproaches her for neglecting her duties as a wife and mother. In a moment of mournful solitude, she steps outside: 

It was then past midnight. The cottages were all dark. A single faint light gleamed out from the hallway of the house. There was no sound abroad except the hooting of an old owl in the top of a water-oak, and the everlasting voice of the sea, that was not uplifted at that soft hour. It broke like a mournful lullaby upon the night. 

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Chapter 21
Explanation and Analysis:

The novel’s mood shifts from solemn to lighthearted romantic and back to solemn, which mirrors Edna’s transformation as she slowly becomes aware of her inner life and emotions and begins to live more independently. In Chapter 3, Edna begins to cry after Mr Pontellier reproaches her for neglecting her duties as a wife and mother. In a moment of mournful solitude, she steps outside: 

It was then past midnight. The cottages were all dark. A single faint light gleamed out from the hallway of the house. There was no sound abroad except the hooting of an old owl in the top of a water-oak, and the everlasting voice of the sea, that was not uplifted at that soft hour. It broke like a mournful lullaby upon the night. 

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Chapter 26
Explanation and Analysis:

The novel’s mood shifts from solemn to lighthearted romantic and back to solemn, which mirrors Edna’s transformation as she slowly becomes aware of her inner life and emotions and begins to live more independently. In Chapter 3, Edna begins to cry after Mr Pontellier reproaches her for neglecting her duties as a wife and mother. In a moment of mournful solitude, she steps outside: 

It was then past midnight. The cottages were all dark. A single faint light gleamed out from the hallway of the house. There was no sound abroad except the hooting of an old owl in the top of a water-oak, and the everlasting voice of the sea, that was not uplifted at that soft hour. It broke like a mournful lullaby upon the night. 

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