The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
by Anne Brontë
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The Tenant of Wildfell Hall: 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

Key Examples in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

Chapter 40. A Misadventure
Explanation and Analysis:

The mood of The Tenant of Wildfell is, overall, quite bleak and depressing. Helen is trapped in an abusive marriage for much of the novel, writing in horrid detail the types of violence and manipulation she faces daily at the hands of her husband Arthur. The following passage from Chapter 40 captures Arthur’s cruelty and Helen’s terror:

Mr Huntingdon then went upstairs. I did not attempt to follow him; but remained seated in the arm chair, speechless, tearless, and almost motionless, till he returned about half an hour after, and walking up to me, held the candle in my face and peered into my eyes with looks and laughter too insulting to be borne.

Chapter 41. 'Hope Springs Eternal in the Human Breast'
Explanation and Analysis:

The mood of The Tenant of Wildfell is, overall, quite bleak and depressing. Helen is trapped in an abusive marriage for much of the novel, writing in horrid detail the types of violence and manipulation she faces daily at the hands of her husband Arthur. The following passage from Chapter 40 captures Arthur’s cruelty and Helen’s terror:

Mr Huntingdon then went upstairs. I did not attempt to follow him; but remained seated in the arm chair, speechless, tearless, and almost motionless, till he returned about half an hour after, and walking up to me, held the candle in my face and peered into my eyes with looks and laughter too insulting to be borne.

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