Final answer:
The mood created by the 'dust and shadows' in Miss Emily's house is one of melancholy and decay, which is reflected in the broader themes of darkness, decline, and decay throughout the narrative.
Step-by-step explanation:
The description of Miss Emily's house filled with "dust and shadows" after her death contributes to a mood of melancholy and decay. This mood is evoked through the imagery of deterioration and neglect, suggesting a once vibrant place now succumbing to the ravages of time and abandonment.
Terms like dust and shadows imply a lack of life and care, enhancing the somber atmosphere that permeates the setting. Likewise, similar patterns of darkness, decline, and decay are noted in the descriptions of the House of Usher where dreary words and phrases contribute to an oppressive ambiance of gloom and despair.
Not only do these details set a scene, but they also reflect the inner state of the characters and the thematic significance of the past impinging on the present.