Final answer:
The author's use of satire in the story affects the reader by developing a sense of sadness and sympathy for the narrator in his present state.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer for this question is satire, developing a sense of sadness and sympathy for the narrator in his present state. Satire is a humorous genre that uses irony, sarcasm, and ridicule to criticize or expose human vices or follies. In this case, the author's use of satire reveals a false sense of pride in the captain and his previous work, which creates a sense of sadness and sympathy for the narrator who is trapped in difficult labor conditions.