Stevenson uses his setting to create a sense of mystery and danger. An example of this could be his use of personification: “a certain sinister block of building thrust forward its gable”. The verb “thrust” is violent and is usually used for people, therefore making the house seem alive and adding to the sense of mystery. Another example of his personification is where he says the house has a “blind forehead”. A “forehead” brings back the link to a person, and a “blind forehead” would be a person with no eyes, which is unnatural. This aids the unsettling theme, and would make the reader feel uncomfortable.

Stevenson also uses words and phrases that raise questions, and does not give any answers. The lower storey has “no window”. This raises