The Happy Prince
by Oscar Wilde

The Happy Prince: 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:

The mood of “The Happy Prince” is initially lighthearted and whimsical. The story starts with the image of the beautiful golden prince high above the city full of his admirers. The reader then meets the Swallow, whose introduction involves his courtship of the reed, which is made amusing to the reader by Wilde’s anthropomorphized characterization of the Swallow as a jilted lover who eventually abandons his “lady-love” for their differing ideas about travel.