Which best explains the perpose of the rhetorical device used in the following sentence? should we sit here and cry over our failures? or should we learn from them and do better next time?

The difference between the present reservoir, with its silent sterile shores and debris-choked side canyons, and the original glen canyon, is the difference between death and life. glen canyon was alive. lake powell is a graveyard. which word best contributes to the author’s sad tone?