Literary
Terms
Atmosphere
Definition
of Atmosphere
Atmosphere
is a way authors make you feel certain emotions when you read a story. They do
this by describing things like where the story happens, the background, objects
in the story, and hints about what might happen next. The mood of the story
helps create this feeling. In stories, atmosphere means the happy or sad
feelings the writer makes you feel by describing things like objects and
places. For example, in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books, she uses words to
create a magical and exciting feeling. It's important to know that the
atmosphere can change as the story goes on.
Atmosphere
v/s Mood
A
lot of people use the words "atmosphere" and "mood" in the
same way because they seem very similar. But when we look at stories, there's a
small difference between them. It's like this: atmosphere is a bigger word and
it can be created by a place, like a theater.
On
the other hand, mood is smaller and more specific. It's about how one person or
a group of people feel, and it doesn't include the feelings that spread around
a place. So, mood is about how someone feels inside, while atmosphere is about
how a place feels. Also, the mood helps make the whole atmosphere of a story.
Examples
from Literature:
Edgar
Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart": The story is set in
a dimly lit, old house. The atmosphere is tense and eerie, with the constant
sound of a ticking clock increasing the suspense.
Charlotte
Brontë's "Wuthering Heights": The novel takes place on
the desolate moors of England. The atmosphere is wild, windy, and isolated,
reflecting the tumultuous emotions of the characters.
Ray
Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451": In this dystopian novel,
the atmosphere is oppressive and suffocating due to the government's control
over information and suppression of free thought.
J.K.
Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban": The
scenes set in the magical village of Hogsmeade create a cozy and festive
atmosphere, contrasting with the darker and more sinister atmosphere in other
parts of the story.
Charles
Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities": The novel begins
with the famous line "It was the best of times, it was the worst of
times..." This sets an atmosphere of duality and impending conflict.
Harper
Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird": The hot and humid
atmosphere of the fictional town of Maycomb reflects the racial tensions and
moral challenges faced by the characters.
Mary
Shelley's "Frankenstein": The scenes in which Dr.
Frankenstein creates the monster have an atmosphere of scientific curiosity
mixed with dread and horror.
Ernest
Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea": The
novella takes place in the vast and open sea, creating an atmosphere of
isolation, struggle, and reflection.
H.G.
Wells' "The War of the Worlds": The arrival of
Martian tripods creates an atmosphere of panic, chaos, and impending doom.
F.
Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby": The
extravagant parties and opulent lifestyle depicted in the novel contribute to
an atmosphere of extravagance, superficiality, and the pursuit of the American
Dream.
These
examples show how atmosphere is established through the use of descriptive
language, setting details, and sensory experiences to evoke specific emotions
and moods within the reader.
Function
of Atmosphere
The
reason we create an atmosphere in a story is to make people feel certain
emotions. This helps make the story exciting and keeps the readers interested.
The atmosphere uses our senses to make the story seem real, which makes it easy
to understand. Instead of directly telling strong feelings, the atmosphere can
show them in a softer way. Writers can change how things are described in the
story to control the atmosphere and how it affects people's feelings.
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