Final answer:
The correct option to fill in the blank is 'b) atmosphere,' since it refers to the overall mood and tone of the novel set by elements like setting and description, which can vividly transport readers to another world.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mood and emotion of a novel are often set by its atmosphere, which is the pervading tone or mood created by elements such as setting, diction, and description. In the sentence '___________ of the novel was so vivid that I felt transported to another world,' the blank should be filled with 'atmosphere' because it is the cumulative feel of the setting, imagery, and details that envelops the reader, creating an immersive experience.
Vivid descriptions contribute to this atmosphere by delivering a palpable sense of the world in which the novel is set, appealing directly to the reader's sensory experience. In contrast, the protagonist refers to the main character, the resolution is the conclusion of the story's plot, and irony pertains to the contrast between expectations and reality within the story's context.
Therefore, the correct option to complete the sentence is 'b) atmosphere.' This fits perfectly when considering a novel's atmosphere that is crafted with care, making use of detailed scenery descriptions, engaging language, and considered diction, akin to those found in the works of famous authors like Jane Austen or Thomas Hardy. These elements are brilliantly designed to transport readers into the narrative's world, as if one is trudging alongside Robinson Crusoe or observing the nuanced drawing-room conversations in Austen's world.