Which term refers to the overall feeling or atmosphere that a literary work conveys?

The term that refers to the overall feeling or atmosphere that a literary work conveys is 'mood.' Mood encompasses the emotional setting created by the author through various literary elements such as diction, imagery, and setting. It is intended to evoke specific feelings in the reader, influencing how they experience the text. For instance, a work may generate a somber mood through detailed descriptions of a bleak environment or unsettling events, making the reader feel a sense of sadness or foreboding.

While 'theme' refers to the underlying message or central idea of a work, 'tone' describes the author's attitude toward the subject matter or audience, and 'ambiance' typically refers to the physical setting in which a narrative occurs rather than the emotional atmosphere. Each of these terms serves a distinct purpose in literary analysis, but 'mood' is specifically about the emotional landscape that the reader navigates while engaging with the text.