Which term refers to the emotional tone of a piece that is often expressed through setting and atmosphere?

The term that refers to the emotional tone of a piece, often conveyed through the setting and atmosphere, is mood. Mood is the overall feeling or emotional state that a literary work evokes in the reader. It is shaped by various elements, including the setting, descriptions, and word choice, creating a specific ambiance for the narrative. For example, a dark and stormy setting might create a tense or foreboding mood, while a sunny day in a vibrant meadow might evoke feelings of happiness and tranquility.

Style pertains to how a writer expresses their ideas, including their choice of diction, sentence structure, and overall voice, but it does not directly address the emotional tone. Conflict refers to the struggle between opposing forces in a narrative, which is essential for plot development but does not specifically relate to mood. Theme is the central idea or underlying message of a work, which may influence mood but is not synonymous with it.