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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 Life of Pi varies throughout. As the book is focused on Pi thinking back on his childhood and harrowing experience at sea, it often takes on a reflective mood. Pi frequently shares profound introspections on religion, death, and the precarious line between human and animal nature. As the author claims in the book, it is “a story that will make you believe in God.” Thus, he intends to evoke similar introspection in the reader.
Pi’s reflections are rarely somber despite his suffering, however, as the book also maintains a humorous and playful mood. For example, in an encounter with a blind French man at sea, he and Pi (who is also temporarily blind) hungrily discuss food. In this conversation, the French man says he would rather not eat a carrot, just before revealing that he killed and ate two people and attempting to do the same to Pi. The end of this encounter understandably traumatizes Pi, but nevertheless, the shock value of the exchange is darkly humorous. The rest of the book similarly weaves comedic moments into otherwise heavy and traumatic subject matter.
The novel does treat some moments with complete seriousness, though, such as the painful accounts of Pi’s grief or the gruesome depictions of murder and cannibalism. Yet, such deep sadness never dominates the story. The novel’s overarching goal is to inspire and entertain, which matches its changing but never overly heavy mood.
Related Themes:
