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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
Prologue Section 2
Explanation and Analysis:
The mood throughout The Bluest Eye remains consistently bleak, at times even verging on defeatist. This atmosphere is appropriate given the novel's objectives, which include breaking down the psychological effects of anti-Black oppression. The Bluest Eye is neither hopeful nor optimistic.
In the novel, Morrison seeks to strip bare the world and expose its ugliness. Such a goal would not be served by misplaced, tonally-dissonant positivity. The novel is not unduly pessimistic, but neither does it sugarcoat the pain that impoverished Black Americans both endure and inflict upon one another.
The Bluest Eye's darkly contemplative, bleak mood is set early on in the novel, before the first chapter even begins. Towards the end of Section 2 of the Preface, Claudia reveals the ending to Pecola's story before readers are even introduced to her character:
What is clear now is that of all of that hope, fear, lust, love, and grief, nothing remains but Pecola and the unyielding earth. Cholly Breedlove is dead; our innocence too. The seeds shriveled and died; her baby too. There is really nothing more to say—except why. But since why is difficult to handle, one must take refuge in how.
In a single passage, Morrison sets the mood for the entire novel. Pecola's story will be one of senseless tragedy and suffering, an outcome that cannot change regardless of preceding events. The point of such a despairing passage is not to dismay readers or insinuate that change cannot happen. As Morrison conveys in the final lines of the preface, her goal is rather to "take refuge in how"—to understand how White-centric institutions and ideas can originate such suffering.
Related Themes:
