Final answer:
In the joking exchange between Arthur and Dan, the term 'jailbirds' captures their shared camaraderie and light-hearted response to their situation in prison. Option 3.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Arthur and Dan refer to each other as 'jailbirds' in their playful banter within the jail, the term captures primarily their shared camaraderie and lighthearted attitude towards their situation.
Despite being in an undesirable predicament, calling each other 'jailbirds' suggests a sense of unity and mutual understanding that comes from their shared experience in incarceration.
They use humor to cope with their circumstances, indicating a non-serious approach to their current way of living, while at the same time, it could subtly allude to their desire to escape their captivity, much like birds trapped in a cage.
The use of the term 'jailbirds' in this context has less to do with the seriousness of their predicament, as it tends to diminish the gravity of the situation and allows them to bond over their communal struggle.
This type of banter is commonly used among prisoners as a coping mechanism, to find solace in humor and companionship during difficult times. Therefore, it is a multifaceted term that can convey a complex range of emotions and intentions among inmates.
Option 3.