* The "furnished room" itself: The very title sets a gloomy tone. The room, though described as "cozy," is filled with the ghosts of past occupants, an inherent sadness that permeates the atmosphere. This establishes a sense of impermanence and suggests the room's role as a place of temporary refuge.
* The mysterious previous tenants: The recurring mention of the previous occupants, especially the "young woman" with the "dark hair," creates an air of mystery. The landlady's evasive answers and the presence of lingering personal items (the sewing basket, the mirror) suggest a tragic past that might be waiting to repeat itself.
* The recurring motif of "death" and "decay": The story is filled with images of fading beauty and the inevitability of death. The landlady's description of the room's former inhabitants as "all gone now" and the constant presence of faded wallpaper and neglected furniture subtly highlight the cycle of life and death.
* The protagonist's growing obsession: The narrator's increasing attachment to the room and its previous occupants is a key element of the story. His relentless attempts to uncover the young woman's identity and his emotional breakdown at the end foreshadow his eventual downfall.
* The repeated use of the color "gray": The frequent use of gray in the descriptions ("gray dawn," "gray sky," "gray suit," "gray hairs") emphasizes a sense of melancholy and emptiness, hinting at the bleak fate awaiting the narrator.
While the story avoids explicit foreshadowing, the overall atmosphere, symbolism, and recurring themes create a powerful sense of impending doom. The reader is left with a sense of foreboding, knowing that the narrator's pursuit of a lost love will lead to a tragic end.