Question

And before Dantès could open his mouth—before he had noticed where the jailer placed his bread or the water—before he had glanced towards the corner where the straw was, the jailer disappeared, taking with him the lamp and closing the door, leaving stamped up on the prisoner's mind the dim reflection of the dripping walls of his dungeon. Dantès was alone in darkness and in silence—cold as the shadows that he felt breathe on his burning forehead.

In this excerpt, how does the setting enhance the description of the protagonist?

The dripping sounds of the dungeon remind Dantès of playing in the rain as a child.
The empty darkness of the dungeon reflects the despair and sadness Dantès is feeling.
The heat from the fire makes Dantès happy for everything that he has in that moment.
The noisiness of the dungeon and its surroundings helps Dantès to not feel so alone.

Answer 1

The empty darkness of the dungeon reflects the despair and sadness Dante’s is feeling

Answer 2

the option that best describes the effect of the setting on the protagonist is: "The empty darkness of the dungeon reflects the despair and sadness Dantès is feeling."

Step-by-step explanation:

In this excerpt, the setting enhances the description of the protagonist by reflecting the despair and sadness Dantès is feeling. The empty darkness of the dungeon, coupled with the dripping walls and the silence, creates a bleak and isolated atmosphere. It emphasizes the harsh conditions of his imprisonment and contributes to Dantès' sense of loneliness and desolation. The setting serves to intensify the emotional state of the protagonist, highlighting the challenging circumstances he finds himself in. Therefore, the option that best describes the effect of the setting on the protagonist is: "The empty darkness of the dungeon reflects the despair and sadness Dantès is feeling."