The Overstory: Mood 1 key example

More specifically, the novel's sections are distinguished by their distinct moods. "Roots" has widely varying moods for the background stories of each of the nine protagonists. These changes can be quite jarring in their contrasts, such as the hopeful immigrant story of the Ma family followed by the trauma and isolation that Adam feels as a child in his more traditional American family. But in general in "Roots," the mood reflects the narrator's criticisms of all these characters for not caring enough about trees and nature, as many of them will in later sections. (Patricia Westerford is an exception to this, having studied and loved trees since her young childhood, and the mood in her chapter in "Roots" is fittingly full of adulation for her.) "Trunk" has a brighter and lighter mood as Olivia Vandergriff's ambition and optimism suffuses the story with energy. "Crown," though, has a much more dire and fearful mood, after Olivia's death and the remaining Life Defense Force's trouble with the law. After years of collaboration and argument, the remaining protagonists descend into bickering and fighting, further dimming the mood. "Seeds," fittingly, ends with a more hopeful mood as Patricia decides against her plan to commit suicide after speaking with Neelay. The mood ends up coming back to that overall sense of reverence—there can be hope for human nature as long as we value trees as we should.