He made that poor piano moan with melody. O Blues! Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool 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? A. It sets a sad, mournful tone.
B. It adds a cheerful, melodic chord.
C. It adds an open, musical sound.
D. It sets an angry, discordant tone.
This is the main effect that the author's language has on the reader. By repeating the phrase "piano moan," the author highlights the fact that the poem conveys a sad, mournful tone. Moreover, the author emphasizes this by telling us that the music comes from the man's soul, and that the voice that sang had a melancholy tone.
