The Demon Lover
by Elizabeth Bowen

The Demon Lover: 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 Demon Lover

Mood
Explanation and Analysis:

"The Demon Lover" is characterized by an overwhelming sense of dread, as Mrs. Drover's anxious behavior creates a strange, tense mood. For the most part, this is because the average person wouldn't react so intensely to the presence of a letter on their table. Of course, it's reasonable for Mrs. Drover to be on edge, considering that London is still under the threat of German bombs, but her main concern seems to be the fact that there's a letter sitting on the table in her hallway. She seems particularly frightened and apprehensive about how it got there, and her palpable dread quickly establishes the suspicious and unsettling mood of the story.