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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 in Song of Solomon is introspective and thoughtful. It is, for that matter, a grim mood: few characters in Song of Solomon lead happy, contented, fulfilled lives; among these, even fewer are happy with who they are as people. The narrator's incisive and realistic but cutting tone generates a general mood of upset, with the reader's own perhaps unexamined behaviors demanding meditation and introspection.
At the same time, the mood is also detached and heady, often without a distinct grounding in or connection to reality. This aspect of the novel's mood stems from its magical realism, a fitting contrast to Morrison's too-real, too-relevant psychological commentary. The detached, heady mood pairs well with such psychological explorations, giving the impression that the characters float in a kind of liminal space between reality and fantasy, constantly chasing their ideals and daydreams only to be disappointed when those things don't come to fruition. Characters like Milkman are stuck and unable to fully relate to the past, feeling detached from their family history—guilty by association, yet unaware of the incident that incited their guilt. Such is the nature of trauma and memory, detaching people from their past while engendering a hazy and uncertain future.
Related Themes:
