The atmosphere in creative writing means the general feeling that is conveyed to the reader. The word, ‘atmosphere’ is used in the same way, as it would be used in everyday speech. A person might say, for instance, “The meeting between the workers and the management was conducted in a genial atmosphere.” This means that the person considered that the general feeling he got from the meeting was one of friendliness. Thus, we can talk of the atmosphere of a story as being: gloomy, sombre, terrifying, evil, cheerful, happy, sordid, pessimistic, optimistic and so on.

Charles Dickens was a master at building up atmosphere. He was particularly good at conveying the atmosphere of London with its streets and slums and especially, its weather. The following extract from Dombey and Son is a description of a neglected house. An atmosphere of decay, disuse and desolation hangs over the whole passage.

“The passive desolation of disuse was everywhere silently manifest about it. Within doors, curtains dropping heavily, lost their old folds and shapes. Mirrors were dim as with the breath of years. Pattern of carpets faded and became perplexed and faint. Keys rusted in the locks of doors. Mildew and mould began to lurk in closets.”