Question

The cave had offered a greater challenge than the group expected. This was not a tourist’s cavern, and there was no stopping to photograph stalagmites—far from it. Each spelunker wore a headlamp, and each had gone so far as to belly crawl through a tight fissure at the urging of their guide. Riya had kept up all afternoon, ignoring her aching legs and the shadows of abundant bats. And now she awaited her turn to walk, legs splayed, across a yawning crevice. Even Old Dot had done it; she could hear the group clapping for her across the darkness. Finding footholds on the left and right, she advanced—one foot, then the other. Reaching ambitiously for jutting rock beyond her grasp, she heard a sickly crumble below and began to fall. How does the excerpt exemplify the ideas King describes in "Danse Macabre"?
A) It allows readers to approach a "forbidden door."B) It provides a "single powerful spectacle" for the imagination’s eye.C) It forces readers to "grapple" with their own mortality.D) It excites readers with the concept of "magic."

Answer 1

Answer:

C). It forces readers to "grapple" with their own mortality.

Explanation:

As per the question, option C exemplifies the idea that King elaborates in 'Danse Macabre'. The king's idea is to 'enforce the readers to 'grapple' or combat with their own mortality or transience' and imply that no one is going to do that for you which is reflected by Riya's advanced efforts despite her 'aching legs' to reach 'jutting rocks' even though it was 'beyond her grasp'. The king's primary concern is to motivate and encourage the readers to not bend knees before 'brevity of life' and show some courage to combat their own mortality. Thus, option C is the correct answer.