What does 'tone' indicate in a literary work?

In a literary work, 'tone' refers to the attitude that the author expresses toward the subject matter or the audience. It is conveyed through the author's choice of words, sentence structure, and stylistic elements, which together create a specific emotional atmosphere and influence how readers perceive the theme and characters. Different tones, such as melancholy, optimistic, sarcastic, or formal, can profoundly shape a reader's understanding and emotional engagement with the text. This understanding of tone allows readers to grasp the underlying sentiments that the author intends to communicate, lending depth and meaning to the work.

The other choices emphasize different aspects of writing but do not encompass the broader concept of tone. Quality of imagery pertains to the descriptive elements in a narrative, the pace relates to the speed at which the story unfolds, and emotional responses of characters focus on their feelings rather than the author's attitude.