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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
Mood
Explanation and Analysis:
Fight Club’s mood can best be described as dark and cynical. The novel follows characters who are deeply dissatisfied with their lives, in particular men who feel that the consumerist values of modern society have put them out of touch with their inherent masculinity. In particular, the Narrator expresses dissatisfaction through his detached voice and ironic sense of humor. Longing for a sense of purpose, he and the novel’s other characters resort to violence, morbidity, and destruction to create meaning in their lives.
Fight Club is also characterized by a sense of anxiety and fragmentation. The narrative’s fast pace and its frequent use of flashbacks create a jarring and at times confusing experience for the reader—one that closely resembles the Narrator’s own unique way of perceiving and interacting with the world. Indeed, fragmentation and minor plot holes help foreshadow the novel’s twist, and in this way, create an anticipatory mood as the narrative’s fast pace unfolds.
It’s worth noting how the particular style in which Fight Club is written both mimics and creates its mood. In addition to disorienting flashbacks and heavy foreshadowing, Palahniuk uses short, punchy sentences with vivid action verbs to create a sense of momentum and tension. Meanwhile, unsparing descriptions of violence and disturbing corporeal images contribute to the novel’s gloomy, unsettling atmosphere.
Related Themes:
