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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
Chapter 23: Glinda Grants Dorothy’s Wish
Explanation and Analysis:
The mood of the book shifts over the course of the story, from exciting to bittersweet. In the first chapter, Dorothy finds herself on the ultimate adventure. She is swept into the air in fantastical fashion, and she wakes in a new land that is far more vivid and strange than the farm in Kansas. She must learn about the politics, people, and geography of this new place. She has a series of dangerous and suspenseful encounters that allow readers to live vicariously, even if they themselves live on a dusty farm in Kansas.
But the more challenges Dorothy overcomes, the more friendships she forges. By the end of the book, she has formed a tight-knit group with the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Woodman. The book that began as a fun tale of a "normal" child in a wild and strange place turns into the story of difficult goodbyes. In Chapter 23, Dorothy captures the bittersweet mood when her friends tell her how much she has done for them:
‘This is all true,’ said Dorothy, ‘and I am glad I was of use to these good friends. But now that each of them has had what he most desired, and each is happy in having a kingdom to rule besides, I think I should like to go back to Kansas.’
Related Themes:
