Question

for hours they stood there, hearing no sound, and seeing nothing but the smooth, high walls on either side of the passage and the calm blue sky so high above them. then the maidens sat down upon the ground and covered their faces and sobbed, and said: oh, that he would come and put an end to our misery and our lives. —the cruel tribute, james baldwin how does the author create suspense in the passage? by making theseus appear weak by highlighting the calm blue sky by creating conflict between characters by allowing a long period of time to pass

Explanation:

The passage opens with "For hours they stood there"—this extended period of waiting with no change in their trapped, silent situation builds tension and uncertainty about their fate, which creates suspense. The other options do not fit: Theseus is not mentioned as weak, the calm sky sets a static scene but doesn't build suspense, and no character conflict is shown.

Answer:

D. by allowing a long period of time to pass