Which of the following excerpts contributes most to the mood of the story?
a. “It was about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season, that I
encountered my friend.”
b. “We passed through a range of low arches, descended, passed on, and descended again,
arrived at a deep crypt . . .”
c. “’It is this,’ I answered, producing from beneath the folds of my roquelaure a trowel.”
d. “I broke and reached him a flagon of De Grave.”
b. “We passed through a range of low arches, descended, passed on, and descended again, arrived at a deep crypt . . .”
This excerpt contributes most to the mood of the story as it portrays a sense of darkness, mystery, and foreboding as the characters descend into a deep crypt.
The excerpt that contributes most to the mood of the story is b. "We passed through a range of low arches, descended, passed on, and descended again, arrived at a deep crypt . . ." This excerpt creates a sense of the setting and atmosphere, suggesting a dark and eerie environment.
To determine which excerpt contributes most to the mood of the story, we should analyze the mood created by each excerpt individually.
Excerpt a. sets the mood as mysterious and intense. The mention of "supreme madness" during the carnival season creates an atmosphere of excitement and chaos.
Excerpt b. contributes to the mood by creating a sense of foreboding and darkness. The description of passing through low arches, descending, and arriving at a deep crypt suggests a sinister and eerie setting.
Excerpt c. adds to the mood by suggesting secrecy and intrigue. The mention of producing a trowel from beneath the folds of a roquelaure (a cloak) implies hidden intentions or a hidden agenda.
Excerpt d. does not contribute significantly to the mood. While the mention of breaking and sharing a flagon of De Grave (a type of wine) suggests a camaraderie between characters, it does not strongly contribute to the overall mood of the story.
Considering the above analysis, it can be argued that excerpt b. "We passed through a range of low arches, descended, passed on, and descended again, arrived at a deep crypt ..." contributes most to the mood of the story. This excerpt effectively creates a dark, ominous, and suspenseful atmosphere, enhancing the overall mood of the story.