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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 Dead Poets Society shifts throughout the novel, most notably between passages detailing Mr. Keating's class versus the classes of other teachers. Every class at Welton besides English involves pedagogical methods focused on rote memorization, extended repetition, and large amounts of homework. As Kleinbaum portrays Todd’s first day of school, the reader is forced to attend each class with Todd, becoming increasingly exhausted by the similarities between each teacher as well as the amount of work Todd is assigned by one after another. The mood during these classes, as well as during convocation, is tense, tiring, and unimaginative. Keating's class, however, is wholly different. His earnest attempt to encourage each student to seize the day, a motif in the novel, brings with it a lively and energizing mood.
The same dichotomy in mood is evident when Todd and his new friends are hanging out together in the cave versus hanging out together on campus. In study hall, for example, the students are whispering and nervous about getting demerits: this creates a subdued and fearful mood. When the students are in the cave, they sing and dance boisterously, creating a joyous and free mood. This juxtaposition of mood reflects and furthers the novel’s anti-conformist message, associating a positive mood with Mr. Keating and the Dead Poets Society passages and a more negative mood with the other teachers at Welton.
Related Themes:
