Its motivation pretty postive
The phrase, a decent respect for the opinions of mankind, was intended to convey a respect for what mankind thinks. Opinions are biases indulged by mankind inside their thought-matrices. Mankind is the species known as Homo Sapiens Sapiens.
A, as this is where the story turns from bad to good.
Or D, as this is where the story turns from good to bad.
Most likely, the answer is A.
Where the story takes place
