He often plays with the characters' psychological states. By showing their paranoia, fear, and inner turmoil, it creates an atmosphere of doom around the family. For instance, a family member constantly hearing strange noises and becoming more and more unhinged makes the whole family seem on the verge of disaster. Also, the use of foreshadowing, like a strange symbol or an omen that hints at the family's tragic end, helps to build the atmosphere.
Poe uses descriptive language. He'll describe the gloomy setting, like a decaying manor with creaking floors and dark hallways where the doomed family lives. This immediately sets a spooky mood.
Poe may introduce elements of the supernatural. A ghostly apparition in the family's home or some unexplained phenomenon can make the family seem doomed. He also uses the passage of time in a way that makes it seem like the family is running out of time, as if they are being slowly consumed by the inevitable doom that awaits them. This can be seen in how he describes the changing seasons or the slow decay of their environment.
His use of language was crucial. He often chose words with dark connotations and a slow, deliberate rhythm. This made the stories seem more menacing. In 'Ligeia', the way he described Ligeia's appearance and the strange events that occurred after her death was very effective in creating a spooky atmosphere. The words he used to talk about her eyes, for instance, made her seem like a spectral figure.
Faulkner uses the element of time. He often has a sense of the past lingering in the present. For example, a character might see a ghostly figure that represents a past event or person, and this creates an eerie atmosphere as if the past is not truly gone but still haunts the present space.
He uses vivid descriptions. For example, when he describes a spooky location, he'll mention every little detail like the creaking floorboards or the flickering lights. It really sets the mood.
His characters often have psychological problems. In 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the narrator's madness and his obsession with the old man's eye create an unnerving feeling. It makes the reader feel on edge as we follow his deranged thoughts.
Typically, they are often isolated. For example, in some of Poe's works, the families might be living in a desolate mansion far from others. There's also a sense of decay, not just in their physical surroundings like a dilapidated house but also in their family relationships. There's usually a great deal of psychological turmoil among the family members, with secrets and guilt lurking beneath the surface.
Poe creates horror through his use of vivid and often grotesque descriptions. For example, in 'The Tell - Tale Heart', he describes the old man's vulture - like eye in great detail, which is really disturbing. Also, his narrators are often unreliable, which makes the reader question what's really going on. In 'The Cask of Amontillado', the narrator's calmness as he leads Fortunato to his doom is quite terrifying.
Poe often uses the psychological state of his characters to create fear. For example, in 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the narrator's own guilt and paranoia are what drive the horror. His mind plays tricks on him, and we as readers are drawn into his unstable mental state.
He uses spooky settings. Old houses, dark forests, and abandoned places are common in his stories. These settings immediately give a sense of unease.
He uses vivid descriptions. For example, he might describe a dark alley with 'walls that seemed to close in, and a stench of decay that filled the air'. This makes the reader feel like they are really there.
Poe creates a horror atmosphere in multiple ways. The language he uses is very descriptive and full of words that evoke a sense of dread. He describes the sounds in the house, like the creaking and groaning, as if the house itself is alive. The isolation of the house and the family from the outside world also adds to the horror. There's a feeling that there is no escape from the doom that awaits the Ushers, and this makes the reader feel trapped along with the characters, creating a truly terrifying experience.