Previous
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
Chapter 2
Explanation and Analysis:
The mood of S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders is primarily tense and fearful. Because of the violent rift between the Socs and the greasers, the characters are full of hatred towards each other. The novel's plot is primarily driven by the night that a group of Socs in a blue Mustang jump Ponyboy and Johnny. The attack is unprovoked, driven by blind hatred and classism. Even before this attack, characters like Johnny are terrified because of the Socs, so much that they carry around weapons for self-defense. In Chapter 2, Ponyboy tells Cherry Valance why Johnny now carries a six-inch switchblade at all times:
He would kill the next person who jumped him. Nobody was ever going to beat him like that again. Not over his dead body . . .
However, the mood is sometimes hopeful and inspiring. Ponyboy endures so much pain and frustration, but the beautiful moments—like watching the sunrise with Johnny—give Ponyboy hope for a safer and happier future. In Chapter 12, Ponyboy reads Johnny's letter, which tells him to hold on tightly to the good in the world:
When you’re a kid everything’s new, dawn. It’s just when you get used to everything that it’s day. Like the way you dig sunsets, Pony. That’s gold. Keep that way, it’s a good way to be. [...] You still have a lot of time to make yourself be what you want. There’s still lots of good in the world. Tell Dally. I don’t think he knows.
As the youngest greaser, Ponyboy is more innocent and delicate than the others. He is not yet hardened by the world, so he imbues faith in the reader that something better is on the horizon.
Related Themes:
Chapter 12
Explanation and Analysis:
The mood of S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders is primarily tense and fearful. Because of the violent rift between the Socs and the greasers, the characters are full of hatred towards each other. The novel's plot is primarily driven by the night that a group of Socs in a blue Mustang jump Ponyboy and Johnny. The attack is unprovoked, driven by blind hatred and classism. Even before this attack, characters like Johnny are terrified because of the Socs, so much that they carry around weapons for self-defense. In Chapter 2, Ponyboy tells Cherry Valance why Johnny now carries a six-inch switchblade at all times:
He would kill the next person who jumped him. Nobody was ever going to beat him like that again. Not over his dead body . . .
However, the mood is sometimes hopeful and inspiring. Ponyboy endures so much pain and frustration, but the beautiful moments—like watching the sunrise with Johnny—give Ponyboy hope for a safer and happier future. In Chapter 12, Ponyboy reads Johnny's letter, which tells him to hold on tightly to the good in the world:
When you’re a kid everything’s new, dawn. It’s just when you get used to everything that it’s day. Like the way you dig sunsets, Pony. That’s gold. Keep that way, it’s a good way to be. [...] You still have a lot of time to make yourself be what you want. There’s still lots of good in the world. Tell Dally. I don’t think he knows.
As the youngest greaser, Ponyboy is more innocent and delicate than the others. He is not yet hardened by the world, so he imbues faith in the reader that something better is on the horizon.
Related Themes:
