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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:
Just as the tone and style spans a wide range, so too does the mood of Moby-Dick, which reflects the scope of the novel in its ranging from the light-hearted and humorous to the weighty and tragic. While the mood flips frequently throughout, it is also possible to identify a trend in the movement of the mood in the novel, with the beginning having a more sprightly sense of adventure compared to the tragedy and poignancy of the ending, which details the final sinking of the Pequod. This shift in mood is reflective of Ishmael’s own journey in the novel, with the hope and wonder that characterizes his setting out on his voyage gradually interrupted by the more reflective and melancholic sentiment that Ishmael is forced to take on by his witnessing of mass tragedy.
Furthermore, there is a significant sense of foreboding in the novel, facilitated by Melville’s heavy use of foreshadowing. Indeed, the title of the first chapter, “Loomings,” is indicative of this, as Melville makes it apparent from the very start that this opening mood of wonderment and adventure will soon be disrupted. The many instances of foreshadowing—the characters’ symbolic names, the unnerving prophecies, the frequent allusions to death—ensure that, even when interjected with more comical episodes, the reader can never quite forget the inevitable peril that is approaching. The immersive nature of the prose aids this, with the busyness of the prose and the overwhelming excess of information infecting the reader with the same sense of franticness that characterizes life aboard the ship.
