A Study of Tone and Mood in “The Origin of the Seasons”
1. “Enna was a beautiful valley in whose meadows all the most lovely flowers of
the year grew at the same season” ( Coolidge 29).
Tone: a peaceful and tranquil tone is created through the euphonious and
polysyllabic words “valley”, “meadows”, and “flowers”. These words emphasize
that the setting is one where nature flourishes and creates the image of a green
fertile countryside: one that welcomes Persephone.
Mood: the general yet picturesque diction creates a relaxing and inviting mood
drawing in the reader with the words “beautiful” and “lovely” which have the
same connotative meaning. The alliteration in the final two words emphasize that
beauty in Enna is boundless.
2. “. . .she found herself caught in a stranger’s arms. Persephone shrieked aloud
and struggled. . . However, the dark-eyes Hades was far stronger than she”
(Coolidge 30).
Tone: a gloomy and bleak tone is created through the cacophonous and specific
words “caught” and “struggled” and “strong” which underscore Persephone’s
inability to escape her abductor.
Mood: a mood of fear is created by simply referring to Hades as a “stranger”.
Faced with the unknown, Persephone “shrieks” yet her calls go unheeded leaving
the reader to be filled with worry and concern for the young maiden. The diction
reveals the tragic state of Persephone’s situation.