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Metaphors
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 2
Explanation and Analysis:
The mood of the novel is characterized by unsentimental realism coupled with a comic, dry stoicism, particularly through Mattie Ross’s unwavering narrative voice. This mood is established early in the narrative when Mattie stays at the Monarch boardinghouse in Fort Smith, expecting comfort but receiving only poor lodging.
In Chapter 2, Mattie recounts her first night at the Monarch Boardinghouse:
The bedroom was cold and dark and smelled like medicine. A wintry blast came up through the cracks in the floor. Grandma Turner turned out to be more active in her slumber than I had been led to expect. When I got into bed I found she had all the quilts on her side. I pulled them over. I said my prayers and was soon asleep.
The description of the room as cold and dark, smelling of medicine, and infiltrated by a wintry blast immediately sets a mood of dreary discomfort, grounding the narrative in realism rather than romanticizing her adventure. The main conflict Mattie faces is not a duel or dangerous confrontation, but the petty battle for quilts with her elderly roommate, Grandma Turner. This focus on mundane misery and physical discomfort keeps the story rooted in an unromantic frontier reality.
Mattie’s reaction to this petty injustice is what truly shapes the mood, shifting the atmosphere from simple misery to dry humor. She notes that the proprietor, Mrs. Floyd, had "taken advantage" of her by making her share a bed despite being a paying customer. Despite this recognition, Mattie chooses not to "make a fuss.” She calculates that "nothing [is] to be gained from making a fuss at that hour" and simply pulls the quilts, says her prayers, and goes to sleep. This choice demonstrates an unusual degree of pragmatism for a girl her age, as she prioritizes her larger goal over momentary comfort. Her unflinching endurance in the face of daily hardships, recounted without complaint, redefines "grit" as not merely just physical aggression but quiet endurance and resilience.
Related Themes:
