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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 Stranger has a very pessimistic mood, although the protagonist Meursault might retort that the mood is not pessimistic but rather realistic and grounded in life, even if this isn't the kind of life one might wish it to be. This pessimism arises as a consequence of Meursault’s apathy, as well as the seriousness of the subject matter broached in the novella. From the death of Meursault’s mother to domestic violence to Meursault's murder of the Arab man and his trial and subsequent sentencing, the narrative deals with weighty themes and heavy subject matter.
These serious topics create a melancholic mood, where the few moments of potential joy—such as Meursault agreeing to marry Marie—are dangled in front of the reader but ultimately can never come to fruition as a result of Meursault's death sentence. Regardless of the trial, these moments are not as joyous as they would be if seen through the eyes of another protagonist. Meursault's apathy, for example, transforms his agreeing to marry Marie into more of an acquiescence than an enthusiastic acceptance. Understanding when the story was published can help make sense of this darker mood: as a novella that takes place in a French colony and that was published in Nazi-occupied France, a dark mood feels appropriate. The fact that the story is attempting to shed light on the absurd is equally relevant to the novella's mood.
Related Themes:
