The Gardener

by Rudyard Kipling

The Gardener: 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
Mood
Explanation and Analysis:

In the beginning of the story, the mood features the characteristic ease and lightness associated with English literature from the Edwardian period. The story's opening ("Everyone in the village knew...") gives the expositional passages a conversational tone and makes it feel like the narrator is gossiping directly with the reader. This gives the mood an element of casual familiarity that remains until Michael dies in the war.