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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:
The mood of All the Pretty Horses is complicated: it is often sober and sometimes horrifying, but at times it is also jovial. The reader might lose themselves in the camaraderie the American characters have with one another and the interesting characters they meet on their journey. Certain sections—like the section where John Grady and Rawlins first meet Blevins— can make the story feel like a grand adventure, typical of lighthearted cowboy narratives. However, much of the content of the book is deeply troubling: extreme violence sullies the boys’ adventure and makes any previous pleasure derived from their escapades seem almost perverse.
At times, the violence and injuries portrayed in the work are so horrific that the reader might feel disgusted, such as the moment in Chapter 4 when John Grady cauterizes his own wound. The proximity of these graphic depictions to mundane activities (like getting a cup of coffee) and moments that are intended to be humorous may make a reader feel a sort of emotional whiplash between ease and horror. Like John Grady, they have no idea what will happen as the story progresses—the next event may be joyful and fun or absurd and disturbing.
