Which stylistic choice contributes to the formatting of the text

What is the central idea in this advice from branch rickey to jackie robinson?  

Alittle later than his thisbe had, and he could see what surely were the tracks of a wild beast left clearly on deep dust. his face grew ashen. and when he had found the bloodstained shawl, he cried: "now this same night will see two lovers lose their lives: she was the one more worthy of long life: it's i who bear the guilt for this. which statement best describes how the order of events creates tension?

Which of these novels is considered an important precursor to science fiction