Mood is the atmosphere and emotion created through the setting and tone set by the narrator or author.
Set the Mood
An author creates mood to help develop the setting of a story, the characters’ roles in the story, and the emotional response the reader should have for the events taking place. The mood can create suspense, fear, happiness, anger, or tranquility. The characters are typically impacted by the mood of a story, and it often dictates their actions. Mood should typically elicit a mental or emotional response from the reader, and help them better immerse themselves into the story. For example, in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven”, the dark, dreary, and bleak December night sets the mood for the mysterious rapping on the door that the narrator must muster the courage to open. The reader is held in suspense, wondering what the sound is, and later, what this giant bird wants from the narrator. The mood of a story can create foreshadowing, and it can fluctuate throughout the plot. Mood differs from tone in that the mood of a story is the reader’s relationship with the characters and events; the tone is the author’s attitude toward the characters and events unfolding in the plot.
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Try it for Free!Notable Examples of Mood in Literature
“The wind was growing stronger, and Jem said it might be raining before we got home. There was no moon. The street light on the corner cast sharp shadows on the Radley house.”
“But never till tonight, never till now, / Did I go through a tempest dropping fire. / Either there is a civil strife in heaven, / Or else the world, too saucy with the gods, / Incenses them to send destruction.”
“Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December; / And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.”
How Tos about Mood: Definition and Examples
How to Create a Mood Board Activity in Your Classroom
Introduce the concept of mood by showing examples from stories, art, or music. Discuss how mood influences what we feel when we read or view something.
Gather images and words that represent different moods
Ask students to cut out pictures from magazines or print images from the internet that show feelings like happiness, sadness, excitement, or calm. Have them also collect words that describe these moods.
Guide students to assemble their mood boards
Let students glue their chosen images and words onto poster boards or paper. Encourage creativity by arranging items in ways that express each mood clearly.
Discuss each mood board as a class
Have students present their boards and explain how the images and words they chose represent specific moods. Facilitate a class discussion about how visuals and language can change the way we feel.
Connect mood boards to reading or writing activities
Use the mood boards as inspiration for students to write short stories, poems, or reflections that match the mood they created. This helps students apply their understanding of mood to their own writing.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mood: Definition and Examples
What is mood in literature?
Mood in literature refers to the overall feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader through descriptions, setting, and word choice. It helps readers emotionally connect to the story.
How can teachers help students identify mood in a text?
Teachers can guide students to look for descriptive language, imagery, and setting details. Asking students how a passage makes them feel and analyzing the author's word choices are effective ways to identify mood.
What is the difference between mood and tone?
Mood is the emotional atmosphere felt by the reader, while tone is the author's attitude toward the subject or audience as revealed through their writing style.
Can you give examples of different moods in stories?
Yes! Common moods include joyful, scary, peaceful, sad, and suspenseful. For example, a dark and stormy night can create a frightening mood in a story.
Why is understanding mood important for students?
Understanding mood helps students better interpret stories, connect with characters, and appreciate the writer’s craft. It encourages deeper reading and critical thinking skills.
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