The other paternal uncle, an official in the treasury, a taciturn, dull-witted, and rheumatic man, sat silent, or spoke only of the fact that the uskovs' name would get into the newspapers if the case went to trial." the quote from "a problem," is an example of what? conflict characterization theme setting

The other paternal uncle, an official in the Treasury, a taciturn, dull-witted, and rheumatic man, sat silent, or spoke only of the fact that the Uskovs' name would get into the newspapers if the case went to trial." The quote from "A Problem," is an example of what? Conflict Characterization Theme Setting

The correct answer is:
Characterization 

Characterization or characterisation is the representation of persons (or other beings or creatures) in narrative and dramatic works of art. This representation may include direct methods like the attribution of qualities in description or commentary, and indirect (or "dramatic") methods inviting readers to infer qualities from characters' actions, dialogue, or appearance. Such a personage is called a character.Character is a literary element.