Question

Find examples of how the author creates the eerie mood in "The Monkey's Paw." Specify words or phrases that help create that mood and explain how that contributes to the mood.

Answer 1

The author of 'The Monkey's Paw' uses eerie diction, an ominous setting, and unusual syntax to create a suspenseful atmosphere that contributes to the story's mood of anticipation and dread.

Step-by-step explanation:

The author of "The Monkey's Paw" employs a number of techniques to evoke a spooky atmosphere. The ominous atmosphere is enhanced by words and phrases like "dark" and "furtive movements," which conjure a sense of something terrible lurking in the shadows. By portraying a night that is "cold and wet," the author's choice of setting further heightens this tone and gives the reader a sense of the gloomy, uncomfortable atmosphere. In addition, the story's unconventional syntax—such as the inverted statement "The root of all evil is money"—can unnerve the reader and heighten the unease the tale attempts to evoke. It is evident by examining the tone, diction, and grammar that the tale is firmly embedded with a sense of dread and anticipation.