Final answer:
The word 'gloom' in the given passage from 'The Fall of the House of Usher' by Edgar Allan Poe contributes to the gothic tone by imparting a sense of darkness, despair, and fear.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the passage from 'The Fall of the House of Usher' by Edgar Allan Poe, it's the word 'gloom' that contributes to the gothic tone. The word 'gloom' imparts a sense of darkness, despair, and dread, often associated with a typical gothic setting. This helps heighten the ominous and fearful tone, creating an eerie atmosphere that is essential to gothic literature.
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