The correct answer is B. It establishes a somber tone in the story.
Explanation
Connotative meaning is a term used to refer to an association of a word with a meaning different from its explicit meaning. For example, in the excerpt of Araby by James Joyce, the word "dark" is used to refer to a lugubrious place, a different meaning from its literal meaning that refers to a characteristic of color. Additionally, the repetitive use of this word such as in " The career of our play brought us through the dark muddy lanes behind the houses" helps the author establish a dark or somber tone by showing how lugubrious the setting of the story is. According to the above, the correct answer is B. It establishes a somber tone in the story.
Edwards compares spiders to sinners because of how weak and loathesome they are, and the spider's web represents the sinner's congregation. The rock falling through the web represents God's strength and gravity towards sinners.
