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1. 
   gbeatty Teacher
   College - Freshman

   eNotes Editor

   I would say the mood is zestful. That is to say, the characters are so eager to have adventures, and to learn about new things, that they communicate a kind of zest or eagerness for life through their words and actions. Look at the first two lines, for example:
   
   

   "OFF THERE to the right--somewhere--is a large island," said Whitney." It's rather a mystery--""What island is it?" Rainsford asked.

    

   Rainsford is so eager to learn about this mystery that he cuts Whitney off. He's surging forward, even though he doesn't know what he's heading for.

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   Posted by gbeatty on Monday September 1, 2008 at 11:52 AM
   
   

2. 
   rleahennis Teacher
   High School - 10th Grade

   eNotes Editor

   The mood is suspenseful, foreboding, and frightening. Rainsford has come upon an island that according to his companion Whitney, "has an evil name among sea-faring men". Rainsford has a brazen attitude of disbelief, but as he finds himself a pawn in General Zaroff's game, hunted like a wild animal, the sense of fear and suspense is heightened at every turn. Zaroff's island and estate turns out to be the location of a terror-filled game, Zaroff created for his amusement, where he hunts the most dangerous and intelligent game anyone could hunt: humans, sea-faring men who are shipwrecked there, with no way out. As Rainsford struggles to outsmart Zaroff and live another day, the suspense is continually rising and falling until the very end.
    

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   Posted by rleahennis on Monday September 1, 2008 at 12:10 PM
   
   

3. 
   pmiranda2857 Teacher
   High School - 10th Grade

   eNotes Editor

   First to clarify the difference between tone and mood. The tone is the author's attitude, stated or implied, toward a subject. 

   The mood is the feeling of the characters and the emotions of the reader. They include suspense, anxiety, fear, terror.

   #1 - Falling off the yacht

   "He struggled up to the surface and tried to cry out, but the wash from the speeding yacht slapped him in the face and the salt water in his open mouth made him gag and strangle."

   #2 - When he is swimming toward the shore he hears:

   "Rainsford heard a sound. It came out of the darkness, a high screaming sound, the sound of an animal in an extremity of anguish and terror."

   #3 - When he comes up to the house, opens the door:

   "The first thing Rainsford's eyes discerned was the largest man Rainsford had ever seen--a gigantic creature, solidly made and black bearded to the waist. In his hand the man held a long-barreled revolver, and he was pointing it straight at Rainsford's heart."

   #4 - When he finds out Zaroff hunts humans:

   "My dear fellow," said the general, "there is one that can." "But you can't mean--" gasped Rainsford."

   #5 - After a long night of being hunted by Zaroff:

   "The general was playing with him! The general was saving him for another day's sport! The Cossack was the cat; he was the mouse. Then it was that Rainsford knew the full meaning of terror."
   
   
   
    

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   Posted by pmiranda2857 on Monday September 1, 2008 at 12:23 PM