Question

read the excerpt from a short story.
the beach teemed with tourists from boardwalk to shore. a canopy of colorful umbrellas covered the sand. each was preoccupied with his own happy task, and none noticed the figure as it emerged from the surf. its skin was blistered and raw, and it lumbered awkwardly in the foam. its hideous eyes hungrily appraised the masses.
how does the excerpt exemplify the ideas king describes in _danse macabre_?
○ it allows readers to approach a \forbidden door.\
○ it provides a \single powerful spectacle\ for the imaginations eye.
○ it forces readers to \grapple\ with their own mortality.
○ it introduces an unlikely \dancing partner.\

Explanation:

"Danse Macabre" centers on the theme of mortality and the inescapable presence of death in everyday life. The excerpt describes a grotesque, death-like figure emerging unnoticed among oblivious, preoccupied tourists, forcing readers to confront the idea that death is present even in moments of human distraction and joy, which aligns with grappling with one's own mortality.

Answer:

It forces readers to "grapple" with their own mortality.