In your own words, describe the setting created at the beginning of chapter 23. what mood is created by the details of this setting?

THe setting is off the shores of Como. The mood created is dark, ominous and gothic. Really all of Mary Shelly's moods in this novel are tinged with a sense of the Gothic. Check out the beginning of the chapter,

IT WAS eight o'clock when we landed; we walked for a short time on the shore enjoying the transitory light, and then retired to the inn and contemplated the lovely scene of waters, woods, and mountains, obscured in darkness, yet still displaying their black outlines.

"The wind, which had fallen in the south, now rose with great violence in the west. The moon had reached her summit in the heavens and was beginning to descend -- the clouds swept across it swifter than the flight of the vulture and dimmed her rays, while the lake reflected the scene of the busy heavens, rendered still busier by the restless waves that were beginning to rise. Suddenly a heavy storm of rain descended."

That pretty much sums up the mood of this chapter and, for that fact, the whole book!

What is evident in the text below is that Victor and Elizabeth have landed near the inn and are indulging in an early evening walk along the shore. They enjoyed the sunset and each other's company before returning to the place they were to spend the night.

Once back at the inn, they spent time together looking out at the water, the woods, and the mountains, beautiful as they appeared in silhouette against the night's impending darkness.

The wind was picking up, blowing in from the west.......... and the moon was at its height as clouds blew past~ creating shadows as it glistened on the surface of the water which grew more restless with each passing moment. All of this took place in greeting of the impending storm that rained down upon them.

Darkness and distorted shapes created a disturbance within Victor that he hadn't felt all day. Nervously observant of everything around him he clutched the pistol to his chest; it was hiding there......... waiting to end the terror and the fear that consumed him........... he knew this night would be the end, that it would be his life or the monster's, but one of them wouldn't survive.

That was my version, the original is below;

"It was eight o'clock when we landed; we walked for a short time on the shore enjoying the transitory light, and then retired to the inn and contemplated the lovely scene of waters, woods, and mountains, obscured in darkness, yet still displaying their black outlines.

The wind, which had fallen in the south, now rose with great violence in the west. The moon had reached her summit in the heavens and was beginning to descend; the clouds swept across it swifter than the flight of the vulture and dimmed her rays, while the lake reflected the scene of the busy heavens, rendered still busier by the restless waves that were beginning to rise. Suddenly a heavy storm of rain descended.

I had been calm during the day; but so soon as night obscured the shapes of objects, a thousand fears arose in my mind. I was anxious and watchful, while my right hand grasped a pistol which was hidden in my bosom; every sound terrified me; but I resolved that I would sell my life dearly, and not shrink from the conflict until my own life, or that of my adversary, was extinguished.

Elizabeth observed my agitation for some time in timid and fearful silence; but there was something in my glance which communicated terror to her, and trembling she asked, "What is it that agitates you, my dear Victor? What is it you fear?"