The young plains culture of the kiowas withered and died
like grass that is burned in the prairie wind. there came a
day like destiny, in every direction, as far as the eye could
see, carrion [animal carcasses] lay out in the land. the
buffalo was the animal representation of the sun, the
essential and sacrificial victim of the sun dance. when the
wild herds were destroyed, so too was the will of the kiowa
people.
which phrase in the passage most strongly contributes to its overall tone?
a. withered and died like grass
b. day like destiny
c. lay out in the land
d. far as the eye could see