Acquainted with the Night
Robert Frost
I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain—and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.
I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.
I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,
But not to call me back or say goodbye;
And further still at an unearthly height
One luminary clock against the sky
Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.
Which best describes the tone of this sonnet?
Responses
A giddy and excitinggiddy and exciting
B sorrowful and lonelysorrowful and lonely
C responsible and dignifiedresponsible and dignified
D cruel and hateful
B. sorrowful and lonely
The best description of the tone of this sonnet is B) sorrowful and lonely.
To determine the tone of a poem, it is important to analyze the emotions and feelings evoked by the language, imagery, and overall atmosphere of the poem. In "Acquainted with the Night" by Robert Frost, the speaker reflects on their personal experiences of being alone and walking through the night. The repetition of phrases such as "I have" and "I have been" emphasizes a sense of personal familiarity with solitude.
The use of words like "saddest," "dropped my eyes," and "unearthly height" creates a sense of melancholy and loneliness. The speaker's encounters with the rain, passing the watchman, and hearing an interrupted cry all contribute to a feeling of isolation and sadness. The luminary clock proclaiming the time as "neither wrong nor right" suggests a sense of disillusionment and detachment.
Overall, the somber and desolate imagery throughout the sonnet reflects a tone of sorrow and loneliness, suggesting that option B) sorrowful and lonely is the best description.