MoodMoodIntroductory video: “Tone and Mood in Literature” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDUhDV-72S0
Why Mood MattersWhy Mood Matters
Mood is an important literary element Mood is an important literary element because it influences the way readers feel because it influences the way readers feel about what they are reading.about what they are reading.
Mood can draw a reader into a story and Mood can draw a reader into a story and can compel a reader to continue to read.can compel a reader to continue to read.
MoodMood
DefinitionDefinition::
The The feelingfeeling or impression the author or impression the author creates with his writingcreates with his writing
Also refers to the feelings the reader has Also refers to the feelings the reader has about the characters or setting in a storyabout the characters or setting in a story
Identifying mood, in generalIdentifying mood, in general
Mood can be identified by analyzing:Mood can be identified by analyzing:– The The settingsetting of a story of a story – The The character’s actionscharacter’s actions and and dialoguedialogue
Identifying Mood through Identifying Mood through Analyzing SettingAnalyzing Setting
Writers often Writers often select/create a settingselect/create a setting that that will impart the mood they wish to instill in will impart the mood they wish to instill in their readerstheir readers
Writers will use a variety of Writers will use a variety of imageryimagery devices to devices to vividly describevividly describe the setting so the setting so that readers can picture in their minds how that readers can picture in their minds how the setting the setting looks, smells, soundslooks, smells, sounds, etc.: , etc.: sensory details!sensory details!
Identifying Mood through Identifying Mood through Character’s Words & ActionsCharacter’s Words & Actions
Readers need to recognize/analyze the following:Readers need to recognize/analyze the following:
SituationSituation in which the character is involved in which the character is involved
Character’s Character’s reactionsreactions to the situation to the situation
Character’s Character’s reactionsreactions to other characters to other characters
Character’s Character’s body languagebody language
Character’s Character’s tone of voicetone of voice
What the What the characters saycharacters say to and about others to and about others
The character’s The character’s thoughts and emotionsthoughts and emotions
Words to Describe MoodWords to Describe Mood
Just about any word that can describe an Just about any word that can describe an emotion can describe the mood in a story. The emotion can describe the mood in a story. The following list is just some examples:following list is just some examples:
CheerfulCheerful HumorousHumorous PeacefulPeaceful LightLight
TenseTense DarkDark ScaryScary suspensefulsuspenseful
TerrorTerror ApprehensiveApprehensive OminousOminous AnxiousAnxious
MelancholyMelancholy RomanticRomantic LonelyLonely SadSad
DrearyDreary MysteriousMysterious CalmCalm AngryAngry
ViolentViolent ExcitingExciting ColdCold FearfulFearful
Steps to Identifying MoodSteps to Identifying Mood
Identify theIdentify the situationsituation—what is the —what is the character doing?character doing?
Find the Find the key words and phraseskey words and phrases that show that show the character’s reactions to the situationthe character’s reactions to the situation
Ask yourselfAsk yourself: What mood is shown by the : What mood is shown by the character’s reactions?character’s reactions?
Closing VideoClosing Video
““Mood in Literature” Mood in Literature” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IItGdq-Ahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IItGdq-ApjQ&feature=relatedpjQ&feature=related