The word degree has more than one meaning. what does the word mean in the sentence?

Which statement best summarizes this excerpt from leo tolstoy's the death of ivan ilyich? and in imagination he began to recall the best moments of his pleasant life. but strange to say none of those best moments of his pleasant life now seemed at all what they had then seemed—none of them except the first recollections of childhood. there, in childhood, there had been something really pleasant with which it would be possible to live if it could return. but the child who had experienced that happiness existed no longer, it was like a reminiscence of somebody else.

Athesis statement can be controversial

Read the excerpt from”do not go gentle into that good night” which statement best describes the effect of the refrains in this excerpt?