Atmosphere
Atmosphere in literature refers to the overall mood or feeling that a writer creates in a narrative through setting, tone, and descriptive language. It influences how readers emotionally experience a scene or the entire work.
How Atmosphere Is Created:
- Setting: The time and place of a story contribute to the atmosphere (e.g., a dark, stormy night creates a tense atmosphere).
- Imagery & Descriptions: Sensory details (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) enhance the mood.
- Tone: The author's attitude toward the subject influences the atmosphere.
- Dialogue: The way characters speak can add to the atmosphere (e.g., whispering creates suspense).
Examples of Atmosphere in Literature:
- Gothic Atmosphere – Found in Wuthering Heights (Emily Brontë) with its eerie moors and ghostly elements.
- Mystical Atmosphere – Present in Macbeth (Shakespeare), with its witches and supernatural occurrences.
- Melancholic Atmosphere – Seen in The Raven (Edgar Allan Poe), with its dark and sorrowful tone.