What quotation indicates that the author’s purpose is to justify actions in an intolerable situation? “we tried to reason with her, more to calm ourselves, to catch our breath, than to soothe her.” “but it was all in vain.” “it was as though madness had infected all of us.” “a few young men forced her to sit down, then bound and gagged her.”

“It was as though madness had infected all of us.”

Explanation:

A mad person cannot be held responsible for his or her actions, so by saying that 'madness had infected' all of them, the author is trying to justify their binding and gagging Mrs. Schachter because the situation was really intolearble for all of the prisoners.  

"Our terror could no longer be contained. Our nerves had reached a breaking point. Our very skin was aching. It was as though madness had infected all of us. We gave up."