Read the excerpt from "The Adventure of the Mysterious Picture." The expression was that of agony—the agony of intense bodily pain; but a menace scowled upon the brow, and a few sprinklings of blood added to its ghastliness. Yet it was not all these characteristics—it was some horror of the mind, some inscrutable antipathy awakened by this picture, which harrowed up my feelings. What technique does Irving use to build suspense in the excerpt?
Answer
A
The word choice darkens the tone.
B
The pace of the story quickens.
C
Odd characters are introduced.
D
The setting details are intentionally omitted.
Explanation
Irving uses ominous words such as “agony,” “menace,” “ghastliness,” and “horror” to make the scene feel disturbing and threatening. This dark word choice builds suspense by suggesting that the picture has a frightening, unexplained effect on the narrator. The passage does not focus on speeding up the action or introducing a character.
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