In literary analysis, which term refers to the emotional quality of the environment depicted in a text?

The term that refers to the emotional quality of the environment depicted in a text is mood. Mood is the overall feeling or emotional state that a piece of literature evokes in the reader, often created through the author's use of language, imagery, and descriptions of the setting. It acts as the emotional backdrop that can influence how readers respond to characters and events within the narrative.

For example, a dark and stormy setting might create a mood of foreboding, while a sunny and vibrant setting could evoke a feeling of joy or peace. The mood is crucial in shaping the reader's emotional experience as they engage with the text.

Other terms like setting, atmosphere, and tone also contribute to understanding a text but serve different functions. Setting refers to the time and place in which the story occurs, atmosphere can overlap with mood but often describes the prevailing feeling communicated by the physical environment and characters, and tone is the author's attitude toward the subject matter or audience.