Question

read the excerpt.
araby
by james joyce (adapted excerpt)
when the short days of winter came, dusk fell before we had well eaten our dinners. when we met in the street the houses had grown somber. the space of sky above us was the color of ever - changing violet and towards it the lamps of the street lifted their feeble lanterns. the cold air stung us and we played till our bodies glowed. our shouts echoed in the silent street. the career of our play brought us through the dark muddy lanes behind the houses, where we ran the gauntlet of the rough tribes from the cottages, to the back doors of the dark dripping gardens where odors arose from the ashpits, to the dark odorous stables where a coachman smoothed and combed the horse or shook music from the buckled harness.
how does the connotative meaning of the word dark affect the tone in the passage?
a. it establishes a commanding tone in the story.
b. it establishes a somber tone in the story.
c. it establishes a formal tone in the story.
d. it establishes a remorseful tone in the story.

Explanation:

The word "dark" is used to describe "muddy lanes," "dripping gardens," and "odorous stables." These descriptions create a gloomy and somber atmosphere. Words like "somber" (used for the houses), "feeble lanterns," and the cold, stinging air also contribute to this tone. A commanding tone would require authoritative language, a formal tone would have more proper and distant language, and a remorseful tone would involve regret - none of which are present here.

Answer:

B. It establishes a somber tone in the story.