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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
Book 6, Chapter 3
Explanation and Analysis:
The mood constantly shifts between despair and perseverance, defined by the characters’ internal resolve against overwhelming external darkness in The Return of the King. Mordor embodies a grim and suffocating mood, where exhaustion and hopelessness press upon Frodo and Sam. Yet within this bleakness, moments of loyalty and devotion alter the emotional texture, creating resilience where none should be possible.
‘Come, Mr. Frodo!’ he cried. ‘I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you and it as well. So up you get! Come on, Mr. Frodo dear! Sam will give you a ride. Just tell him where to go, and he’ll go.’
Here, the mood of Mordor is unrelentingly grim. The landscape is desolate, supplies are gone, and both hobbits are near collapse. The sense of inevitability presses down, making despair the natural atmosphere. But Sam’s cry transforms that mood. His words, tender yet resolute, inject fierce determination into the suffocating setting. The moment fuses desperation with loyalty, replacing hopeless silence with the sound of devotion.
This alternation of moods sustains the tension of the narrative. Tolkien refuses to grant either despair or triumph the final word; instead, the interplay between them makes endurance itself heroic. The mood of Mordor captures this duality: crushing darkness met by stubborn faith.
Through this shifting balance, Tolkien crafts a story that feels both perilous and inspiring. Bleakness conveys the enormity of the struggle, while moments of loyalty restore courage. The result is a mood that mirrors the heart of the tale—victory forged not in the absence of despair, but in the refusal to yield to it.
Related Themes:
