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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:
As the events of the novel progress, the reader may feel an increasing sense of dread. Even when nothing bad is happening, the creepy imagery that Golding uses to describe the island adds to the dark mood. The novel contains many moments of violence, starting with the plane crash that has killed the pilot, "scarred" the island landscape, and stranded the boys. The parachutist's corpse and pig's skull—both of which are decaying signs of death that humans have caused—add to this sense of dread, even if the reader believes they have nothing supernatural about them. The boys themselves become a source of fear for the reader, not only because they hunt and kill, but also because they dance ritualistically and paint their faces, acts which seem to diminish their humanity.
A reader may also feel pity for the boys, especially Ralph, whose memories and longings we get to see. The boys' youth—emphasized by their dialogue, references to adults, choices, and fear—is pathetic in the face of the serious situation they are in. Getting off a deserted island is literally a matter of life or death, and some of the boys do die or go missing. Even more emotionally affecting is the plight of the "little 'uns," who are too young to cause trouble or even understand what is happening to them.
At the same time, the boys' youthful mistakes cause the reader helpless concern and frustration. Frequently, the boys make bad choices or fight amongst themselves. Adult readers may experience a certain dramatic irony just from watching the boys abandon their "responsible" plans like the signal fire. Even readers who are children may be older or more responsible than the characters, or they may feel they could solve the troubles the boys face. Just as someone who watches a horror movie screams at the main characters not to enter the abandoned house, readers of Lord of the Flies may find the boys' actions frustrating. This persistent irony adds to the overarching dread.
There is also a ghostly, uncertain, or even hallucinogenic mood caused by the strange events of the book, especially those suggested to be spiritual or supernatural. The island heat causes mysterious mirages, the "beast" lurks (or doesn't lurk?) around every corner, the dead parachutist moves as if alive, and Simon has an eerie conversation with the pig skull. At points, it is not clear what is really happening and what the boys are imagining or hallucinating from thirst, hunger, or fear—and this is especially true for Simon. Information withheld from the reader, such as what happened to the birthmark boy, contributes to the suspense and uncertainty.
