SHERIFF (unbuttoning his overcoat and stepping away from the stove as if to the beginning of official business).
How does the use of the word "official" in this stage direction affect the mood of the scene?

It shows a serious undertone to laying out the scene. It helps the reader understand that the Sheriff isn't fooling around and that something important is starting.

two factors or characteristics of a chapter that might make it difficult to read would be words i don't understand, or if i don't fully understand what's going on in the chapter. strategies i can use to get through the difficult material would be a dictionary, and re-reading previous chapters to get a better grasp of what the author is trying to say.

dioneo just might be like one of your friends. he is a good looking guy that can say whatever he want and get away with it. he's brings life because he can sing and play the lute. he is also dangerous because he can convince you to do anything for him because his wit is so sharp, you can not resist. dioneo is determined to take the next logical step and initiate a small campaign for freedom of speech. he does this by begging to be released from telling stories that conform to the daily theme. then, during his own time, he chooses a themes that are scandalous and he gets the response he expects.