The setting of this story plays a major role in creating a spooky atmosphere. The gothic castle scenery, which gives a feeling of isolation and being lost in such a great expanse of space, also adds to this effect. The subterranean style passageways are evocative of a dungeon where there may be ghosts of the victims of torture and terror, or even the ghost of the predecessor of the narrator. The words used to describe it like " Chilly"; " echoing" and " draughty" are all examples of the setting and atmosphere of the 'dungeon' leading to the red room.
The repetition of some phrases in the text brings the recurring thought to the mind of the readers, ' what challenge lies ahead of this man that is of such a great magnitude' and also emphasises the great trepidation that this ' Red Room' brings to a person. Phrases such as "It's your own choosing" and "This night of all nights" circulate around the beginning of the tale, in a way that is indicative of the dangers that lies ahead. The way that the main character views a distorted image of himself in the mirror may symbolise the change that is about to overcome him. The use of these brings about an awareness to the reader that something ghastly is about to happen.
The walk through the passageway is a particularly chilling narrative, as throughout the account of it the descriptive language used makes the effect that is desired by H.G. Wells. The fact that he lit the candle before he closed the door to the caretakers may be indicative of the fact that he has a fear of the dark, which is also observed later on in the tale when the candles start to go out and put him in a very confused state. "Chilly, echoing, ghosts, witches, omens, dead brains" are just some of the expressions used to daunt the readers brain into a state of panic. This again adds to the eerie atmosphere of the story. A similar effect is taken on by the writer on the description of the room, and all its blood curdling features. "Shadowy window, black corners, germinating darkness" are again some of the terms used to handle the depiction of the room. When the man starts to try and reason with himself that there is no such thing as ghosts and there has to be a scientific explanation for all this "madness" it is evident that he is going on with a personal dilemma of whether to believe in it or not. They give an effect of dark, motionless space that is overcome with evil and wickedness, which is enough to frighten any reader. The phrase "An ocean of mystery" makes the readers imagination run wild into a frenzy thinking of all the different possibilities that could be derived from this single phrase. The painstaking search of the room confirms the fact that he is now getting extremely scared of what it is that is causing all these strange happenings.
The next task that the writer undertakes is that of creating and then demolishing all hope or a feeling of safe haven for the reader. When the writer describes how the man felt when he realised that there was a fire that he could light " Something very cheery and reassuring" shows the fight for some kind of happiness but when the lit candles start going out and " The shadows seemed to take another step towards me" , the fear and vulnerability are greater then ever as all hope that may have been derived is gone and the dark malevolence rules over again. At this point in the story the writer personifies the ghost, making it more likely that it does in fact exist. The battle between the man and unearthly force to keep the candles lit may in a way symbolise the battle between a man and his fear, and when the man surrenders to the fear he has lost the battle. Towards the end when there is a repetition of the word " vanished" many times not only shows how swiftly things were moving thus racing the readers heart, it also shows the loss of all hope at this stage from where things go downhill. The way "Vanished" is used in the same sentence multiple times gives the reader a sense of panic which is what H.G. Wells is looking for.
"I staggered back, turned and was either struck or struck myself against some other bulky furniture". This line emphasises the struggle and utter confusion of the man in the this state of fear and darkness, while at the same time racing a readers heart faster and faster with the element of fear getting greater and greater.
All this panic is stopped when at last the man " opened his eyes in daylight" and the reader is partly satisfied to know that the man is alive and well but also partly curious to know what exactly happened in that room. When the writer uses the phrase "The worst of all the things that haunt poor mortal man and that is, in its nakedness-fear!" it is a clear statement that is basically conveying the message; the only thing that drives a man into a condition of fear is fear itself. This one line single handily sums up all the different ways in which the writer takes on the task of creating an atmosphere of fear.
H.G Wells uses some words and phrases that are ghostly in nature so that even the simplest of descriptions can become frightening phrases that add a chill to the story. The description of the passageway and room using words like "draughty subterranean passageway" (page 45) and "black shadow, shadowy window" (page 46) generate a gothic image of the castle and therefore make it the perfect setting for a tale of fear and suspense. Examples of these words are scattered throughout the passage creating a constant reminder of the creepy setting of this castle.
This author's clever use of vivid descriptions, darkness and mystery leaves a reader's heart and mind pounding and his use of character attitude and portrayal also creates a stunning effect. Throughout the passage the emphasis on the darkness of gothic surroundings gives off a chilling result. There is also in many a place repetition of words and phrases of which a consequence is emphasis of the horror that is to come or that which is passing. The writer also uses the descriptions of characters to refer to them which distances a reader from them but brings the reader further and further into the web of the story. All these points taken into consideration bring on a marvellously terrifying effect in this tale of fear and suspense.
