Mood in Literature
Books or any literary work possess the power to bring a change to your mood; it could turn you from a despondent person to a happy one, or make you believe in concepts of nihilism, even though you disagree with the idea. How do you think the sudden shift in your mood happens? Because of the mood of the text you are reading, right? That’s the essence of mood in literature; it doesn’t only deliver the content of the text, but makes the reader feel every ounce of it.
Now the question is, how do writers establish a mood in literature? Well, that’s why we are writing this blog – scroll down to comprehend its meaning with examples.
A Look into Mood in Literature
Setting the mood in literature is a secret ingredient of writers. Because, let’s be honest, making somebody feel like there’s a lump in their throat through impeccable writing demands skills and precision in delivering unsettling emotions. Mood in literature influences the vehemence of readers and enables them to relate to the story on a deeper level.
Understanding Mood, Tone, & Atmosphere
Now, when we say mood, we mean the emotional setting, not tone or atmosphere. There’s a big difference among these three elements of a story. If we have to explain them in one line, then it would be:
- Mood – The feeling or emotions a reader feels while reading a text is called mood.
- Tone – The attitude that characters show towards other subjects or the audience is called tone; this is often showcased through words and style.
- Atmosphere – The external environment or the emotional setting of the characters is known as atmosphere; it mainly influences emotions.
Examples of Mood in Literature
Now that you understand the basic meaning of mood in literature, let’s take a look at 15 powerful mood examples in literature.
Melancholy
When writers use the words correctly to describe nostalgia, pain, or the feeling of longing, they invite their characters and the readers to immerse themselves in melancholy. The perfect blend of tone and atmosphere helps the author create the mood of sadness among readers.
Fault in Our Stars or Me Before You could be the best example of this mood.
Suspense
Suspense is the mood that keeps readers on the edge, leaving them wondering what will happen next. It’s an emotion that makes readers stop doing all their work and finish the chapter or the story in one go.
For instance, you will find the elements of suspense in the book, Closet of Lies.
Joyful
Whenever the characters accomplish something they have been working hard for, or anything that turns the story in favour of the protagonist, the mood shifts to one of elation or joy. It’s the part that the readers hope for throughout the book.
One example of this mood is evident when Jane reunites with and marries Mr Rochester in the book Jane Eyre.
Foreboding
Foreboding is the feeling that something bad is about to happen. It creates a tense, uneasy atmosphere and is often used in thrillers, gothic stories, and dystopian fiction to warn readers of dark events ahead.
One bookish example to explain this mood is Macbeth.
Nostalgic
Texts that evoke feelings of longing for the past and focus mainly on memories create a nostalgic mood. This mood provides emotional depth and a legitimate character development through redolent descriptions and memories that blur the present moment.
For example, in the book Me Before You, the story makes readers well-versed in Will Traynor’s past, making his present condition even more miserable than it looks.
Romantic
Any text that evokes the feelings of love, affection, compromise, or intimacy represents the romantic mood. Readers often pick up a book due to the romance genre.
Although there are multiple romance books, After by Anna Todd is one of them.
Tragic
Tragic mood in a story often evokes the feelings of despair and sadness that arise due to unfortunate, tragic events. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara is a modern example of a tragic and heartbreaking book.
Hopeful
Optimism and the feeling of looking at the possibility of something happening in the book create the mood of hopefulness. For example, in the book A Thousand Splendid Suns, the readers become hopeful that life will change for the better for Mariam and Laila when they escape Rashid’s house.
Dark & Gloomy
Dark and gloomy mood appears in a book when the characters suffer from isolation, despair, and hopelessness. For instance, the narrator uses the mood when Nastenka leaves him alone and runs towards her true love.
Whimsical
A whimsical mood feels playful, quirky, and a little magical. It turns the ordinary into something delightful, like in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Exaggerated characters, dreamlike worlds, and gentle humour invite readers to wonder without emotional heaviness.
Mysterious
A mysterious mood is created when the characters are surrounded by unforeseen events and unanswered questions. You can find mysterious elements in the book Sherlock Holmes.
Angry
Anger is the mood that almost all the characters of a book go through once in their journey; the moments of conflict or injustice give rise to this mood. It exposes emotions and moral decay at its best. For example, Heathcliff’s rage in the book Wuthering Heights.
Peaceful
Peaceful moods slow everything down. Soft imagery and calm settings, like in Walden, create a sense of stillness, inviting readers to pause, reflect, and breathe with the story.
Anxious
An anxious mood creates uncertainty and fear, which pulls readers into a constant state of tension. One bookish example of this could be the looming threat in 1984.
Eerie
An eerie mood feels quietly unsettling. It hints that something isn’t right, using silence, shadows, and unease—perfectly captured in The Haunting of Hill House.
Also, Check – Top 10 Ravinder Singh Books
On a Parting Note
If you are willing to write a book and are unsure about how to capture your readers’ attention, then ensure to decide the type of feeling you wish to evoke in your characters, describe the scene in detail, mentioning all the crucial information, like tone, atmosphere, etc., keep the mood consistent, but ensure to evolve it with the story. From melancholy to eerie, a story contains almost all the moods; however, exceptions are always there.
All you have to do is understand that mood in literature highly impacts the readers; therefore, write it accordingly. Happy Writing!
