It establishes a kind of curiosity. This means that a kind of curious tone was created.
'over the summer...' is right
In my opinion, the correct answer is <span>c. were published to be read by common people. The invention of the printing press a century earlier was the driving force of literacy, which was becoming more widespread than ever. Books were cheaper and affordable to members of the growing middle class. Also, the middle-class people started dictating the literary taste, so there was no need for employing sublime styles and topics that would appeal to the educated aristocracy. In the 16th century, Giorgio Vasari wrote his "Lives of the Artists" - an easily read and extremely interesting account on lives of secular people - the major artists of the age. This book quickly became a bestseller, which means it was read by common people.</span>
I have never read what you are asking, but just by looking at it, I would assume that he is stereotyping Dutch people, because he is calling Black Dog an insult, which is "son of a dutchman".
What are the sentences to choose from ?