Question

Read the first stanza of the poem The Raven* by Edgar Allan

Poe. Which phrase helps create the gloomy tone of the poem?
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
some visitor." I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door-

Answer 1

The line from the stanza that best supports the idea that the speaker wasn't expecting anyone to come by is:

"While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,"

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,"

Explanation:

This makes the tone gloomy because it informs the reader(s) that Poe is weak and weary. When someone is upset or gloomy they are tired, week, weary because they don't want to do anything. So this line would help create gloomy tone of the poem.