From Typhoon It seemed to him he remained there precariously alone with the stanchion for a long long time. The rain poured on him, flowed, drove in
sheets. He was plunged in rushing water like a diver holding on to a stake planted in the bed of a swollen river. He breathed in
gasps, and
sometimes the water he swallowed was fresh, and sometimes it was salt. For the most part he kept his eyes shut tight, as if suspecting sight
might be destroyed in the immense flurry of the elements. When he ventured to blink hastily, he derived some moral support from the green gleam
of the starboard light shining feebly upon the flight of rain and sprays. He was actually looking at it when its ray fell upon the uprearing head of the
sea which put it out. He saw the head of the wave topple over, adding the mite of its crash to the tremendous uproar raging around him, and
almost at the same Instant the stanchion was wrenched from his grasp. After a crushing thump on his back he found himself suddenly afloat and
borne away. His first Irresistible notion was that the whole China Sea had climbed on the bridge.
(from Typhoon by Joseph Conrad)
stanchion a vertical support beam or post on a ship
What impact does the statement, "the whole China Sea had climbed on the bridge" have on the passage?
1. It accentuates the character's strength as he is forced to hold on to the stanchion longer.
O2. It emphasizes the character's feeling of hopelessness as he is faced with a mighty problem.
O 3. It reveals the character's feeling of loneliness as a result of the green light having been extinguished.
4. It introduces the character's confidence in a situation for which his experience on a ship has prepared him.