The correct answer is "influence." To explore the influence, or effect of mythical literature on contemporary literature, a reader should identify key characters, settings, and plots.
Tone indicates the writer's attitude. Often an author's tone is described by adjectives, such as: cynical , depressed , sympathetic , cheerful , outraged , positive , angry , sarcastic , prayerful , ironic , solemn , vindictive , intense , excited.