Final answer:
The tone of the excerpt is forgiving of Faulkner's use of a racial epithet, indicating that its exclusion would have been a falsity in representing Southern culture. therefore, option A is correct
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the excerpt from Sullivan's article, the tone that best describes the sentiment expressed and its direction is forgiving of Faulkner's use of a racial epithet. The statement suggests that the inclusion of such language, while controversial, could be seen as a necessary aspect of authenticity when depicting the South of Faulkner's time. Thus, option A seems most fitting as it reflects a tone of understanding towards Faulkner's literary choices in representing Southern culture, rather than being critical, defensive, or hostile to the subject matter or the author.