What is the meaning of "vicissitudes"

"where are you taking me? " the car hesitated, or rather gave a faint whirring click, as if information, somewhere, was dropping card by punch- slotted card under electric eyes. "to the psychiatric center for research on regressive tendencies." he got in. the door shut with a soft thud. the police car rolled through the night avenues, flashing its dim lights ahead. which statement best describes the intended aesthetic impact of this excerpt? o a. by showing leonard obeying the police car, the author reinforces the theme of surrendering one s individuality. o b. by relating the way the car responds, the author underscores the theme of the dangers of a mechanized of society o c. by having leonard, a seemingly normal person, taken to a psychiatric center, the author injects irony, leaving the reader surprised o d. by showing leonard communicating with another person, the author satisfies his need for human contact, leaving the reader hopeful