Question

In literature, what is tone​

Answer 1

Tone, in written composition, is an attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience. Tone is generally conveyed through the choice of words, or the viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject. ... The tone can be formal, informal, serious, comic, sarcastic, sad, or cheerful, or it may be any other existing attitude

Answer 2

In VERY VERY SIMPLE terms, tone is the attitude or feelings of the writer of the particular piece of literature.

Do not confuse it with mood which is the attitude of the readers/ audience to the piece.