A throng of bearded men, in sad-colored garments and gray, steeple-crowned hats, intermixed with women, some wearing hoods, and others bareheaded, was assembled in front of a wooden edifice, the door of which was heavily timbered with oak, and studded with iron spikes. Which best describes the effect of the words “sad-colored,” steeple-crowned,” and “iron spikes”?
a. they establish the mournful mood 
b. they establish the hostile mood 
c. They establish the austere Puritan setting
d. They establish the spiritual Puritan setting