The conclusion must restate the thesis -- which was stated in the introductory paragraph. Think of the introduction and the conclusion as the two slices of bread of a sandwich.
This is simply a metaphor because it is comparing one thing to something that is very much unlike it.
Answer:It introduces the story and sets up the coming events.
Explanation:The narrator is giving the background of the story and setting the mood. The narrator is reading, the night is "dreary," and the narrator is awake although tired. He hears someone knocking, but knows only that it is a visitor and thinks nothing much about it.
That would be stress.
Built up stress hinders efficient performance.