Question

he played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool.
sweet blues!
coming from a black man’s soul.
o blues!
in a deep song voice with a melancholy tone
i heard that negro sing, that old piano moan—
“ain’t got nobody in all this world,
ain’t got nobody but ma self.
i’s gwine to quit ma frownin’
and put ma troubles on the shelf.”
what is the effect of repeating the phrase “piano moan” in the poem?
○ it sets a sad, mournful tone.
○ it sets an angry, discordant tone.

Explanation:

The phrase "piano moan" and the poem's context (words like "sad", "melancholy", "troubles") suggest a somber mood. "Moan" implies sadness, so repeating it reinforces a sad, mournful tone. Other options: "angry, discordant" is inconsistent with the poem's themes, and the poem doesn't have a "lively" or "open, musical" tone here.

Answer:

A. It sets a sad, mournful tone.