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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:
The mood of A Room of One’s Own is contemplative, reflecting a personal, internalized journey in which Woolf invites readers to participate. On some occasions, the nature of what the narrator contemplates contributes to a more dismal mood, such as when she recounts women’s lack of resources or how some male authors disparage women in their writing. Despite the upsetting nature of these subjects for progressive female readers, all is not tragic: Woolf deliberately alleviates such dire contemplations with irony and satire, speaking truth to power by poking fun at the men who oppress her. In the midst of all this, there exists a mood of hope as well—hope that, in the midst of oppression, women writers can create a strong legacy for themselves, to better the future for their daughters and granddaughters.
In part, these vacillations in mood accord with Woolf's stream of consciousness writing style, in which the narration follows the free-flowing pattern of human thought. This narrative technique allows readers to access a wide range of moods over the course of the narrative. A contemplative, analytical train of thought might be interrupted by a sentimental memory, external events may break the narrator out of her rumination, and a random sight or experience might trigger a depressive spiral. The resultant stream-of-consciousness narrative bears the weight of myriad human moods.
Related Themes:
