Read the excerpt from the awakening. they formed a congenial group sitting there that summer afternoon—madame ratignolle sewing away, often stopping to relate a story or incident with much expressive gesture of her perfect hands; robert and mrs. pontellier sitting idle, exchanging occasional words, glances or smiles which indicated a certain advanced stage of intimacy and camaraderie. which best explains this excerpt’s purpose in the novel’s plot structure? a. the excerpt sets up relationships between characters as part of the exposition. b. the excerpt wraps up events in the novel as part of the resolution. c. the excerpt shows a turning point in the novel as part of the climax. d. the excerpt returns characters to harmony as part of the falling action.