Final answer:
Nathan's reflections suggest his life was like a journey rather than a definitive success or failure. The idea that small choices direct life's course and the encouragement to follow one's dreams reinforce the journey theme. Thus, the best answer reflecting Nathan's sentiment is (b) It was a journey.
Step-by-step explanation:
When he is dying, Nathan reflects on his life and the choices he made. His thoughts suggest a nuanced view of his life's journey, one that does not neatly fit into the categories of success or failure. Rather, the provided text hints at life being a series of choices and outcomes, similar to a journey.
This concept is evident when considering phrases like "a little turn of the rudder, and the ship goes to heaven or hell," which implies that life's path is governed by a series of small, decisive moments rather than being a single, monumental success or failure.
The text also emphasizes that unexpected outcomes can arise from our actions, such as "snatching success from the jaws of failure" with reference to mutations in life. Finally, the idea to follow your dreams further reinforces the journey aspect, suggesting that our aspirations are part of an ongoing process, rather than a destination one simply arrives at.