Which term best describes the feeling created in the reader by a literary work or passage?

The term that best describes the feeling created in the reader by a literary work or passage is mood. Mood refers specifically to the emotional condition or atmosphere that the author evokes in the reader through various means, including word choice, imagery, and setting. It involves the reader's emotional response to the text, which can vary greatly depending on the language used and the situations described.

Tone, in contrast, refers to the author's attitude toward the subject matter or the audience, influencing how the reader perceives the text but not directly creating the emotional experience for the reader. Emotion is more generic and does not specifically link to the literary work itself; rather, it encompasses any feelings experienced by individuals. Atmosphere tends to be closely related to mood but is often more concerned with the overall setting and environment within the story rather than the specific emotions it evokes in the reader. Thus, mood is the most suitable term because it directly addresses the emotional experience that literature aims to elicit from its audience.