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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 Beneath a Scarlet Sky is largely heartbreaking and dramatic, intended to make the reader think deeply about the history of World War II and the immense and varied sacrifices its millions of victims had to make. The novel employs a singular, forward-moving narrative, which increases the level of drama present in the narrative as the war progresses in a linear fashion, becoming more intense with each passing day.
The novel takes place from the point of view of one character, Pino Lella, who becomes privy to multiple different perspectives of the war. He undertakes active resistance when transporting Jewish refugees through the Alps to safe zones in Switzerland, and he undertakes passive resistance when he becomes the driver for a high-ranking Nazi official. Both of these experiences impact the mood of Beneath a Scarlet Sky, because Pino becomes a witness to heartbreak and horror—including his own—at a massive scale.
With his third-person omniscient narration, Sullivan highlights Pino’s internal feelings and reactions to external events throughout the novel. Thus, the reader becomes able to feel what Pino himself feels. Pino’s emotions often occur in a whirlwind, due to the fast-paced nature of war and the potential for a moment to turn from ecstatic to tragic. When Pino experiences love for the first time with Anna Marta, the novel’s mood appears hopeful, expressed by Sullivan through Pino’s uplifting internal monologue. However, in darker moments—such as Anna’s tragic death or the repeated bombings upon the city of Milan—the novel’s mood turns devastating. Like Pino himself, readers experience the multitude of emotions present during chaotic times of war.
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