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Irony
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 “Gooseberries” shifts from joyful to heavy over the course of the story. When it opens, Ivan and Burkin are enjoying a day in the country, and they end up taking shelter from the rain at their friend Alekhin’s picturesque estate. Despite the rain, Ivan swims in Alekhin’s pond, delighting in the experience, while Burkin and Alekhin bathe in Alekhin’s bathing house. They then dry off and “enjoy the feeling of warmth, cleanness, dry clothes, light shoes” while Alekhin’s beautiful maid brings them food and drink.
While this first section of the story is lighthearted and joyful, the mood starts to shift as Ivan tells his friends the story of his brother Nikolai’s desperation for his own private country estate and what he was willing to do to attain it (including starving his wealthy wife to death in order to access her inheritance). The mood becomes even bleaker as Ivan starts lamenting the ways that people will prioritize their own happiness over doing good in the world. What's more, he ends his story with bitterness and regret about his own life. The final lines in the story, which come as the men prepare for sleep, capture this heavy and unsettled mood:
Ivan Ivanych silently undressed and lay down.
“Lord, forgive us sinners!” he said, and pulled the covers over his head.
His pipe, left on the table, smelled strongly of stale tobacco, and Burkin lay awake for a long time and still could not figure out where that heavy odor was coming from. Rain beat on the windows all night.
Ivan’s exclamation "Lord, forgive us sinners!" hints at the fact that, while Ivan’s story was all about his brother’s greed and wealth, he sees himself—here enjoying the creature comforts that come with his friend’s wealth—as being equally complicit in contributing to a sinful world. The description of Burkin being turned off by the “heavy odor” coming from Ivan’s pipe also suggests that Burkin is put off by his friend’s story and selfishness (as readers, too, might be). The rain beating on the windows likewise contributes to a sense of unease and lack of resolution.
Related Themes:
