Final answer:
Mood in literature refers to the atmosphere or emotional setting evoked by the writing, often influenced by the author's tone, setting, and diction. Edgar Allan Poe's work, such as 'The Fall of the House of Usher', is an example of a consistently dark and mysterious mood achieved through an oppressive setting and specific word choices.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mood is a literary element that evokes certain feelings or vibes in readers through words and descriptions. In literature, mood is created by a combination of setting, tone, theme, diction, and narrative style, and can have a range of emotional tones, such as gloomy, cheerful, or suspenseful. Authors use various literary devices to establish mood, such as vivid imagery, specific word choices, and cultural references.
For example, Edgar Allan Poe is well known for his mastery of the tragic and mysterious mood, particularly in 'The Fall of the House of Usher,' where the oppressive and dark setting contributes to a feeling of dread and foreboding. An author's tone, the emotional register of the story's language, can also greatly affect the mood.
Tone indicates the author's attitude and helps shape the overall emotional atmosphere of the work. The diction or word choice is also instrumental; choosing to describe someone as 'joyful' as opposed to 'happy' or 'seething' instead of 'angry' can subtly shift the mood.