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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 Journey to the Center of the Earth is dynamic and fluctuating. It’s designed to make readers waver between feelings of suspense, excitement, awe, and triumph. As an adventure novel, part of the book’s task is to keep readers on the edge of their seats. The mood of the novel changes with its twisting plot: one moment the reader feels safe, and the next they’re hurtling down into the unknown.
The first pages of the novel are deceptively calm. Axel good-humoredly narrates the circumstances of his affluent and stimulating life in Germany. However, as soon as the Saknussemm book enters the house in Hamburg, the reader begins to share in Axel’s nervousness and uncertainty. The novel quickly induces feelings of tension in the reader as Axel and his party begin a perilous journey into the unknown. Otto Lidenbrock, whose obsessions and unpredictable behavior are rather disruptive, also contributes to the narrative’s sense of instability. Axel is never quite sure what’s coming next for him after he cracks Saknussemm's code.
As the novel unfolds—and especially after the men descend beneath the Earth’s crust—the mood intensifies as the stakes become higher. The reader's mood begins to swing between the peaks and valleys of the plot’s rapid, careening trajectory. Readers feel the excitement and the fear of dangerous exploration as the characters navigate death-defying challenges. They also feel the joy and awe of stumbling upon breathtaking subterranean landscapes and phenomena. These shifts in mood are expertly crafted to engage the reader fully in the highs and lows of the characters’ underground expedition.
By the novel’s conclusion, the mood has returned to its initial mood of calm optimism and safety. Having come back safely from their travels, each of the characters achieves all of their objectives. The final mood is universally very positive, leaving readers feeling satisfied and excited.
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