What is the purpose of the octave of an Italian, or Petrarchan, sonnet?
A. to make a comparison
B. to create a narrative
C. to present a problem
D. to offer a solution

alright, so here, the author clearly thinks that flooding the canyon was a bad idea and is showing bias against it.

- "the die is cast; i have consented to return if we are not destroyed. thus are my hopes blasted by cowardice and indecision; i come back ignorant and disappointed. it requires more philosophy than i possess to bear this injustice with patience. i have lost my hopes of utility and glory; i have lost my friend."