Final answer:
The mood of a narrative does not describe the author's feelings about the characters; this is a false statement. Mood refers to the emotional atmosphere that affects the reader, while tone expresses the narrator's attitude toward the story's subject matter.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the mood of a narrative describes how the author feels about the characters is false. Instead, the mood refers to the emotional atmosphere that a reader experiences when engaging with a story. This atmosphere or mood is crafted through narrative elements such as details, description, and setting, and is greatly influenced by the narrative voice and point of view. Mood can evoke various emotional responses in the reader, ranging from happiness to suspense or gloom. For example, a narrative told with a somber tone will elicit a different reaction than one with an upbeat tone, even if the plot events are similar.
The tone of a narrative, on the other hand, expresses the narrator's attitude toward the subject matter of the story. It is conveyed through the author's choice of words, style of narration, and the emotional state of the narrator. Hence, the mood is about the reader's experience, while the tone is about the narrator's perspective.