Question

Mr. Utterson had been some minutes at his post, when he was aware of an odd light footstep drawing near. In the course of his nightly patrols, he had long grown accustomed to the quaint effect with which the footfalls of a single person, while he is still a great way off, suddenly spring out distinct from the vast hum and clatter of the city. Yet his attention had never before been so sharply and decisively arrested; and it was with a strong, superstitious prevision of success that he withdrew into the entry of the court.

What is the mood of the excerpt?

sentimental
regretful
lighthearted
suspenseful

Answer 1

Suspenseful! So tone can be confused with mood and vice versa. Tone is the attitude of the writer towards a subject idea or audience whereas mood is the feeling created by the authors rhetorical choices and literary devices (I.e. SHAMPOOPSI). Through the “footsteps drawing near” “suddenly spring” “sharply and decisive attention” the reader is a bit unsure of what’s going on making them interested in seeing what will happen next. When you look at something like this it’s best to pretend you never read the next and just think of what is literally in front of you like SAT questions almost. Hope this helps!