Question

select the correct answer.
read this excerpt from stephen cranes short story \the open boat\.
the injured captain, lying in the bow, was at this time buried in that profound dejection and indifference which comes, temporarily at least, to even the bravest and most enduring when, willy nilly, the firm fails, the army loses, the ship goes down.
what is the meaning of the word dejection in the context of the excerpt?
a. deep thought
b. introspection
c. discomfort
d. low spirits

Explanation:

The context mentions "the firm fails, the army loses, the ship goes down", which are negative events. "Dejection" is paired with "indifference" and describes a state the captain is in. "Low spirits" fits this negative, defeated - like context. "Deep thought" (A) and "introspection" (B) imply more active mental processes which don't match the passive, defeated state. "Discomfort" (C) is more about physical or minor unease rather than the emotional state described.

Answer:

D. low spirits