Read the selection below from the short story “the pit and the pendulum” by edgar allan poe and use your knowledge of the story to answer the question that follows. down—steadily down it crept. i took a frenzied pleasure in contrasting its downward with its lateral velocity. to the right—to the left—far and wide—with the shriek of a darn spirit! which type of atmosphere does the passage above create? frightening and disquieting exciting and hopeful romantic and content mournful and disappointed

"where are you taking me? " the car hesitated, or rather gave a faint whirring click, as if information, somewhere, was dropping card by punch- slotted card under electric eyes. "to the psychiatric center for research on regressive tendencies." he got in. the door shut with a soft thud. the police car rolled through the night avenues, flashing its dim lights ahead. which statement best describes the intended aesthetic impact of this excerpt? o a. by showing leonard obeying the police car, the author reinforces the theme of surrendering one s individuality. o b. by relating the way the car responds, the author underscores the theme of the dangers of a mechanized of society o c. by having leonard, a seemingly normal person, taken to a psychiatric center, the author injects irony, leaving the reader surprised o d. by showing leonard communicating with another person, the author satisfies his need for human contact, leaving the reader hopeful