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Question

The Man Without a Country
by Hackett, Walter (adaptation)

NARRATOR: Four more years passed, and Nolan’s requests for news of his native land continued to be denied. His newspapers were scissored, his books censored. One evening he went up on deck of the ship he then called “home,” where there was a small gathering of officers. Nolan approached them.

NOLAN: Please, don’t let me disturb your conversation.

3RD OFFICER: We were just reading aloud. . .it helps pass the time.

NOLAN: What an excellent idea! What are you reading?

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Question
Use the scene to answer the question.

How does the playwright develop the mood in this scene?

(1 point)
Responses

The mood is tense in the beginning of the scene, but as the scene goes on the mood becomes aggressive.
The mood is tense in the beginning of the scene, but as the scene goes on the mood becomes aggressive.

The mood is awkward in the beginning of the scene, but as the scene goes on the mood becomes haunted.
The mood is awkward in the beginning of the scene, but as the scene goes on the mood becomes haunted.

The mood is calm in the beginning of the scene, but as the scene goes on the mood becomes sorrowful.
The mood is calm in the beginning of the scene, but as the scene goes on the mood becomes sorrowful.

The mood is joyful in the beginning of the scene, but as the scene goes on the mood becomes depressed.
The mood is joyful in the beginning of the scene, but as the scene goes on the mood becomes depressed.
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Answer 1

In the provided scene from "The Man Without a Country," the playwright develops the mood in a way that suggests a sense of calmness initially, as Nolan approaches the officers and engages in what he perceives as a pleasant conversation about reading. However, the underlying tension of Nolan's situation—his enforced isolation and the denial of news from his homeland—can create a sorrowful atmosphere as the scene progresses.

Therefore, the most fitting response based on the described mood development would be:

The mood is calm in the beginning of the scene, but as the scene goes on the mood becomes sorrowful.