Answer:
slowing down the plot to focus on an important character
Explanation:
I believe the question is related to the story entitled "The Cruel Tribute."
The situation above happened after the people found out that<em> King Minos of Crete</em> had a "Labyrinth" where the people who were sent to him were killed by a Minotaur. This caused disdain on the people.
Then, the plot slowed down by mentioning about how the years have passed and how the people obeyed on sending their seven males and females to Minos. This was done in order to introduce a new character named "Theseus," <em>who grew up in those passing years</em> and was now looking for his father, King AEgeus.
So, this explains the answer.
<span>A: Life means many hardships</span>
In my opinion, the correct answer is <span>B: "He asked himself where it had come from and how; the past provided no explanation, and the future could not justify it." This is the only instance when the main character tries to discover the source or roots of his happiness and infers that it hasn't resulted from any action from the past, nor from anything that might yet happen. The other options present this happiness as something that is almost a burden to him, and that's why they are examples of dark humor.</span>