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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 Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince is humorous yet also bittersweet. When the novella uses irony to describe the pointlessness of some adults' lives—such as the conceited man, who lives to be admired, or the businessman, who spends his time counting the stars so he can own them before anyone else—the mood is full of dry humor. These adults are ridiculous in their quests for vanity and monotony. However, there is also some magnificence in the way the little prince travels throughout the galaxy to visit these different planets and meet these adults. There is beauty in the landscapes and in the knowledge that these other planets exist.
On the other hand, the mood is quite philosophical and reflective, particularly in the comparisons that both the little prince and the narrator make. The little prince compares each planet he visits to his own, realizing how wonderful it is to live with vivacity and purpose. The narrator slowly learns the importance of friendship and imagination amidst a world plagued by adversity and self-importance. Though he initially found the little prince to be irritating, the narrator comes to understand the true meaning of consequence.
The mood is often bittersweet when the narrator sees how adults have lost their imagination and their ability to appreciate the world. Because of his time spent with the little prince, the narrator can look up at the stars and imagine, free from the bonds of realism and adulthood, yet missing the little prince all the same.
Related Themes:
