Final answer:
The narrator's lack of emotion during Henry's rescue in "White Fang" can best be explained by the influence of the dire circumstances (option c) and the possibility that the narrator's background and survivalist experiences influenced their response (option d).
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to the character's reaction to a crisis moment in Jack London's "White Fang." When considering why the narrator is impassive regarding Henry's rescue, the context of the situation is a major factor. Selection (c) the narrator's emotional response was influenced by the circumstances, seems to best explain the emotional distance portrayed. In moments of severe crisis or survival, emotions are often suppressed in favor of more practical, immediate responses to danger. This is exemplified by the focus on physical sensations and actions rather than emotional responses, as the characters are dealing with the freezing cold and survival issues.
Additionally, the broader theme of the harshness of the wilderness and the brutal struggle for survival in "White Fang" suggests that an emotional disconnect may be a coping mechanism for characters within the novel. The emotional numbness might not just be a result of a lack of attachment but also a necessary adaptation to the extreme conditions they face.
Moreover, option (d) the narrator's background and experiences shaped their emotional response, also provides insight as the characters in London's works often reflect the stoicism and resilience necessitated by life in the wild.