Final answer:
The mood of Poe's “The Cask of Amontillado” is suspenseful, characterized by the eerie and foreboding atmosphere created through the unreliable narrator's perspective, the setting, and word choices. The story's tone is serious, reflecting its dark themes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mood, or atmosphere, of Poe's “The Cask of Amontillado” is best described as suspenseful. This choice is reflected in the story's tense interactions and eerie setting which suggest a foreboding sense of anticipation and impending doom. The mood is set through the narrative mode of first-person point of view, which allows readers to closely follow the thoughts of Montresor, the unreliable narrator who meticulously plans and carries out his revenge against Fortunato.
Throughout the story, specific words, phrases and snippets of dialogue contribute to the mood. For example, the repeated mention of the Amontillado, a rare wine, creates a sense of intrigue, while the catacombs setting with its darkness and the sound of the chains add to the sense of enigmatic suspense. The overall tone of the story, indicated by such language, is serious and somber, rather than humorous or silly.