Read the excerpt from Poe’s "The Masque of the Red Death." But in the western or black chamber the effect of the fire-light that streamed upon the dark hangings through the blood-tinted panes, was ghastly in the extreme, and produced so wild a look upon the countenances of those who entered, that there were few of the company bold enough to set foot within its precincts at all. What technique does Poe use to build suspense in the excerpt?
Answer
A
The pace of the story quickens.
B
The setting moves outside.
C
The outcome of events becomes certain.
D
The word choice darkens the tone.
Explanation
Poe uses ominous words such as “black,” “blood-tinted,” “ghastly,” and “wild” to make the chamber feel frightening and dangerous. This dark word choice creates a threatening tone and builds suspense. The excerpt does not show the pace quickening, the setting moving outside, or the outcome becoming certain.
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