Imagery of the Pit:
* "I felt the faintest breath of air...the faintest imaginable sensation...the merest shadow of a sound..." (This quote describes the subtle and eerie presence of the pit, suggesting a danger that is lurking just beyond perception.)
* "The blackness of eternal night encompassed me...The darkness, which, as I imagined, would have been the death of a more timid man, gave me a sense of profound relief." (This emphasizes the overwhelming darkness and the protagonist's desperate need for any kind of relief, even if it is the darkness itself.)
* "The blackness of eternal night encompassed me... and I felt the faintest breath of air... the merest shadow of a sound... and I knew that the unseen, the implacable, the horrible, stood close by my side." (This combination of the descriptions of the pit and the sense of impending doom creates a powerful image of fear and dread.)
Imagery of the Pendulum:
* "It swung from side to side with a creaking and groaning sound...the gleaming blade descended with a velocity apparently out of all human control..." (This quote paints a vivid picture of the pendulum's menacing movement, emphasizing its deadly nature.)
* "It seemed to my excited imagination as if the fiery eyes of the pendulum were coming closer and closer to me." (This use of personification and the comparison to "fiery eyes" turns the pendulum into a monstrous and sentient being, further enhancing the protagonist's terror.)
* "The sweep of its descent had grown so wide that it seemed to me to be the sweep of a giant scythe." (This simile compares the pendulum to a weapon, underlining the terrifying power and inevitability of its descent.)
Imagery of the Environment:
* "The walls were lined with human bones...In the midst of this appalling scene, I felt myself sinking into a cataleptic trance." (This image of the gruesome environment evokes feelings of horror and disgust, suggesting the protagonist's mental and physical deterioration.)
* "The air was thick with a foul and humid odor...The atmosphere was oppressive and suffocating." (These descriptions of the prison's environment contribute to the overall sense of claustrophobia and impending doom.)
* "I was surrounded by a darkness that seemed to press upon me and crush me." (This description of the darkness as a physical force further emphasizes the protagonist's feeling of entrapment and vulnerability.)
These are just a few examples of how Poe uses imagery to create a terrifying and unforgettable atmosphere in "The Pit and the Pendulum." The effectiveness of his imagery lies in its ability to evoke strong emotional responses and to immerse the reader in the protagonist's experience.