Previous
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 Open Window
Mood
Explanation and Analysis:
The mood of "The Open Window" goes through multiple shifts. When the story opens, the mood is stiff and awkward. As the self-possessed Vera tries to get to know Mr. Nuttel—and scope out the prospects for tricking him—the awkwardness of their interaction feels comical. When Vera takes over the narrative with her tragic tall tale, however, the mood turns uneasy. The stiff yet light mood of the exposition quickly becomes effaced by the diction of words like "great tragedy," "engulfed," "treacherous," and "dreadful." The uneasy mood takes on a scary quality just before Mrs. Sappleton arrives:
'Do you know, sometimes on still, quiet evenings like this, I almost get a creepy feeling that they will all walk in through that window-'
She broke off with a little shudder.
