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
Mood
Explanation and Analysis:
Although Atonement can overall be described as intense and gripping, the mood fluctuates frequently throughout the novel. The early chapters of the first part feel light and comfortable, as the narrator recounts various characters in or near the Tallis family moving through a beautiful summer's day. At the same time, the stifling heat, which only increases as the day progresses, corresponds with a growing tension. The characters' failure to understand each other contributes to a number of overlapping threads of antagonism. The mood that initially seems light turns increasingly intense, which serves as a signal that the novel is building toward an eruption of conflict.