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 his
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.
2. It emphasizes the character's feeling of hopelessness as he is faced with a mighty problem.
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.