Question

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?
The pace of the story quickens.
The word choice darkens the tone.
The outcome of events becomes certain.
The setting moves outside.

Answer 1

The word choice darkens the tone.

Poe uses ominous, sensory diction and imagery — "black chamber," "blood-tinted panes," "ghastly," "wild look," and "few... bold enough" — to create a forbidding, suspenseful atmosphere.