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Irony
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 Emperor Jones
Mood
Explanation and Analysis:
The mood of The Emperor Jones is tense, haunting, and at times terrifying. The play follows Brutus Jones as he runs for his life, both literally and metaphorically, and the mood reflects this, quietly ratcheting up the tension with each scene as he devolves further into his terror. Over the course of the play, Jones is hunted by the specter of his past misdeeds as well as by Lem and the native islanders rebelling against his imperial rule. O’Neill uses the sound of the tom-tom drum to inspire fear in the audience; the drumbeat grows louder and more ominous with each passing scene, building to a deafening and terrible noise that thrums constantly in a crescendo overhead so that the characters and the audience become one in their alarm.
Related Themes:
