What character trait makes marin the protagonist of the story

"down—steadily down it crept. i took a frenzied pleasure in contrasting its downward with its lateral velocity. to the right—to the left—far and wide—with the shriek of a spirit! to my heart with the stealthy pace of the tiger! i alternately laughed and howled, as the one or the other idea grew predominant. " which type of atmosphere does the passage above create? a. frightening and disquieting b. exciting and hopeful c. romantic and content d. mournful and disappointed