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.
I think this one is right.

Answer 2

The answer is B: the word choice darkens the tone.

In this short story by Edgar Allan Poe, one can find one of the best examples of gothic literature, and what is most exemplary in this kind of fiction: the combination of a detailed description of horror and death. In the passage one can find these (death being merely implied, though in the story it is omnipresent), and the tone is remarkably dark and somber, building up suspense.