What does the author's attitude refer to in literary analysis?

The correct answer highlights that the author's attitude refers to their feelings or perspective regarding the subject they are writing about. This can involve the emotions, opinions, or stance that the author expresses through their language, tone, and choice of content. By analyzing the author's attitude, readers can gain deeper insights into how the author feels about the themes, characters, or events within the piece, which can influence the readers' own interpretations and emotional responses to the text.

For instance, if an author uses sarcastic language when discussing a topic, it indicates a dismissive or negative attitude toward that topic. Understanding this attitude can help readers connect the expressed feelings to the larger context of the narrative or the author's message.

The other options, while they address elements of literary analysis, do not accurately define the author's attitude. The literal meaning pertains to what the text explicitly conveys, the mood created by imagery focuses on the atmosphere of the text rather than the author's personal feelings, and the overarching theme represents the central message of the work, which is distinct from the author's emotional stance.