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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
Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis:
Mood in The Left Hand of Darkness is desolate and lonely, mirroring Genly's loneliness as the lone human amongst Gethenians. This mood of loneliness abates as Genly grows closer to Estraven, only for Genly's social alienation to increase after Estraven's death and the arrival of the Ekumen ship. Even descriptions of setting contribute to the desolate mood. Note the way Genly describes Ehrenrang at the beginning of Chapter 1:
I was in a parade. I walked just behind the gossiwors and just before the king. It was raining. Rainclouds over dark towers, rain falling in deep streets, a dark stormbeaten city of stone, through which one vein of gold winds slowly. First come merchants, potentates, and artisans of the City Erhenrang, rank after rank, magnificently clothed, advancing through the rain as comfortably as fish through the sea. Their faces are keen and calm. They do not march in step. This is a parade with no soldiers, not even imitation soldiers.
It is clear, even from just this description of Ehrenrang, that Genly feels alone in this place. In absence of anyone to truly relate to, the infrastructure around Genly feels hollow and cold. He does not feel welcome; and, since his narration and attitude significantly influence the novel, his loneliness too has a large impact on the mood.
Related Themes:
