Read the excerpt from Irving’s "The Mysterious Stranger."His eyes rolled upwards, until nothing but the whites were visible; his hands were clasped together, until the fingers were deeply imprinted in the flesh. When the music expressed the dying agony, his face gradually sunk upon his knees; and at the touching words resounding through the church, “Jesu mori,” sobs burst from him uncontrolled. Which statement best describes Irving’s tone in the excerpt?
Answer
A
His pious tone highlights the spirituality of the excerpt.
B
His melancholy tone highlights the despair of the excerpt.
C
His condemning tone highlights the judgment of the excerpt.
D
His serene tone highlights the beauty of the excerpt.
Explanation
The man’s eyes roll upward, his hands clench, his face sinks, and he breaks into uncontrolled sobs as the music evokes dying agony. These details create a sorrowful, emotionally distressed mood, so Irving’s melancholy tone highlights the despair in the scene. The excerpt focuses on grief rather than calm beauty or judgment.
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