“Bart, He’s Establishing Mood.”
One of my very first insights into the craft of writing, and using mood, was watching the very first “The Simpson’s Halloween Special,” which is also the seminal episode of the “Treehouse of Horror” anthology broadcast every year. It really was a masterwork of retelling a few classic horror/sci-fi related stories culminating in the amazing reading of Edgar Allen Poe’s iconic, “The Raven.” The narration was performed by the unquestionably incomparable James Earl Jones. I committed the (abbreviated) reading to memory, and it comes back into my mind on a weekly basis.
Crafting a compelling narrative transcends mere storytelling; it involves transporting readers into the vivid world you’ve created by skillfully manipulating mood. Whether you’re working on a novel, a short story, or a blog post, understanding how to establish and enhance mood is a powerful tool for any writer. In this in-depth guide, I’ll explore actionable steps and insights to help you master the art of setting the mood in your writing, creating an immersive and unforgettable experience for your readers. I will use Poe’s work as a reference. It is public domain, but you can always pick up a copy of his collected works via Amazon. Edgar Allan Poe: The Ultimate Collection
1. Define Your Desired Mood: The Foundation of Emotional Resonance
Before you start writing, take a moment to clearly define the mood you want to convey. Is it suspenseful, romantic, melancholic, or adventurous? Having a precise understanding of the emotional tone you’re aiming for will serve as the guiding star for your writing decisions throughout the creative process. The mood for “The Raven” was significantly established with the almost visceral tone Poe set in his narrative with the opening line:
Once upon a midnight dreary.
2. Painting Mood with Words
The art of mood-setting begins with painting a vivid canvas for your readers. Incorporate sensory and evocative descriptions that appeal to all the senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. By doing so, you not only make your writing more immersive but also intensify the emotional impact on your audience. This is created especially in Poe’s use of the line:
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December;
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Immediately the canvas is being painted with dark and brooding colors. You can see the glowing embers, smell the burning fireplace, feel the cold nipping at your skin, hear the wind howling outside.
3. Leverage Setting and Atmosphere: The Silent Conductor of Emotion
The setting plays a pivotal role in establishing mood. Describe the surroundings in a way that complements the desired emotional tone. Consider the time of day, weather, and overall atmosphere to evoke specific feelings seamlessly.
For his readers at the time, December was cold, dark, and desolate. Poe explicitly gives the festive Yuletide season the short shrift. The protagonist is sitting in front of a fire, rather than celebrating, watching the glowing embers of the wood fade into blackness. They are not celebrating and there is no mention of merriment at all in the story (although Christmas was not celebrated then as it is now.) Something is indeed amiss.
4. Craft Characters with Emotional Depth: The Heartbeat of Your Story
Characters are the conduits of emotion in your narrative. Develop characters with nuanced emotions that align with the mood you’re aiming for. Show their feelings through actions, dialogue, and internal reflections. After all, readers connect more deeply with characters whose emotions resonate with them.
The nameless protagonist (who is also not given a gender) is desperately attempting to take their mind off the death of their beloved Lenore. In a time before electronic distractions, and with bad weather outside, a person’s few options would include reading. Poe’s audience, obviously literate, would find this a common practice.
Eagerly I wished the morrow;—vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore—
5. Mindful Dialogue: Conveying Mood with Interaction
Dialogue is a powerful tool for conveying mood. Pay meticulous attention to the tone, pace, and content of conversations. Use language that reflects the emotions you want to evoke, whether it’s sharp and quick for tension or soft and lyrical for romance.
Poe uses this convention expertly in the interplay between the protagonist and their avian antagonist. The tension between the two becomes palpable as they converse. The protagonist speaks a great deal, and by their word choice, is obviously literate, contemplative, and fairly emotional in their grief. This is in stark contrast to the singular word used by the eponymous bird: Nevermore.
6. Symbolism and Motifs: Mood’s Reflection
Introduce symbols or motifs that resonate with the desired mood. These recurring elements act as emotional anchors for readers, reinforcing the overall atmosphere of your writing and creating a sense of continuity.
Poe’s work is packed with symbolism, a great deal of which would be even more relevant to his readers at the time. Aside from literary references made by the protagonist, the raven itself is used symbolically to emphasize death, prophecy, mystery, and the afterlife. Purple, as the curtains are colored, is symbolic of penitence, remembrance, royalty, spiritual wealth, and the Crucifixion of Jesus. Doors and windows are always symbols of moving from one state to another. Even the “pallid bust of Pallas” a reference to the Greek goddess of wisdom, Pallas Athena, symbolized sainthood and wisdom. That the representative of death should perch upon it in essence symbolizes its divine right to be there, again enforcing the mood by action.
7. Narrative Voice and Tone: The Echo of Emotion
Tailor your narrative voice to match the mood. The tone of your writing – whether it’s formal, informal, poetic, or straightforward – greatly influences the emotional perception of the story.
One of Poe’s masterful abilities was to present his narratives as slightly above informal speech. His tone is relatable, paraphrasing “this is what happened to me that night” but in the formality of the poem, the narrative requires the reader to take it more seriously. It’s not merely a relation of a story. There is a specific gravity here, but it is straightforward.
Much I marveled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning—little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door—
8. Controlling the Ebb and Flow: Pacing Mood
Experiment with the pacing of your narrative to elicit specific emotions. Fast-paced scenes create excitement, while slower, reflective moments can evoke contemplation or sadness. Mastering pacing dynamics is crucial for maintaining the reader’s emotional engagement.
Poetry has always had an emotional impact. It is one of the most succinct ways of writing dynamic pacing in fiction. The meter plays throughout the poem, rising and falling, further drawing the reader in. One feels the rollercoaster of the verse, moving faster and faster as the protagonist reaches the limit of their patience, and possibly sanity. This is exquisitely displayed in the final stanza spoken by the protagonist:
“Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!” I shrieked, upstarting—
“Get thee back into the tempest and the Night’s Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!—quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!”
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
⠀9. Foreshadowing as Mood: Building Anticipation
Foreshadowing adds depth to your narrative by hinting at future events. Use it strategically to build anticipation and contribute to the overall mood of your writing.
Poe does this in the third stanza, creating suspense through foreshadowing, with the expert use of these lines:
And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
The foreshadowing in these lines uses hints to enhance storytelling: Purple (the Crucifixion), terrors never felt before (For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being /Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door—), I stood repeating (the raven repeating its iconic phase).
10. Contrast for Emphasis: The Art of Mood’s Dichotomy
Introduce moments of contrast to emphasize the mood. A sudden shift from chaos to quiet reflection or vice versa can have a powerful impact on your readers, leaving a lasting impression.
The protagonist, while trying to figure out the reason for the raven’s arrival pulls up a chair to study the corvid. Slowing the pace down and enhancing mood through narrative contrast.
This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom’s core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion’s velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o’er,
11. Emotional Resonance: Literary Devices for Mood
Delve deeper into your writing toolbox by exploring literary devices that enhance emotional resonance. Consider incorporating metaphors, similes, alliteration, or even onomatopoeia to evoke specific feelings in your readers.
The protagonist is shaken from their reverie with this, in my opinion, unquestionably greatest example of using alliteration in American storytelling:
Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
12. In Conclusion: Mood Comes Full Circle
Establishing mood in your writing is a nuanced yet invaluable skill that elevates your storytelling to new heights. By implementing these techniques, you can guide your readers on an emotional journey, leaving a lasting impact. Remember, the overall key is to be intentional in your choices and to consistently align your writing with the desired mood.
Poe encapsulates the entire story and illustrates mastering mood in writing with this passage, one of my favorite passages in all of literature:
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted—nevermore!
Final Thoughts on Mood
As you incorporate these techniques into your writing, remember that practice is key. Experiment with different approaches, seek feedback, and refine your skills over time. Developing a keen understanding of mood generally enhances the quality of your writing and also establishes a deeper connection with your audience. Happy writing!
Do you have techniques that you use to drive your mood? What are your favorite examples from literature? I’d love to hear how you establish your own mood. Feel free to contact me if you want to keep the discussion private.
Additional Resources for Mood-Setting Mastery
To further refine your skills in establishing mood in your writing, explore the following resources: