Question

Which details from the text best develop the character?

1) faces drifting past, stairway, he muttered
2) young george willard, office, concealed himself
3) pushing his way through, watched, waiting for nothing
4) thoughts kept coming, he did not want to think, feverish ey

Answer 1

Details revealing characters' emotions, thoughts, and responses to events, such as John's reaction to fear, Editha's impatience, and George Hadley's paternal concerns, are key to character development in literature.

Step-by-step explanation:

To effectively determine which details from each text passage best develop the character, focus should be on descriptions or actions that reveal internal states, personality traits, or transformations in the character. In this case, we should look for details that offer insights into the characters' emotions, motivations, or reactions to certain events, as these will be most telling in regards to character development.

For instance, the excerpt describing John hearing a faint sound and then seeing a vague figure offers significant insight into John's emotional state and how he responds to fear. Similarly, Editha's impatience and intensity while watching for George reveals her anxious and forceful nature. In contrast, details such as George Hadley's dinner with the automated table and his thoughts on the nursery inform us of his role in the household and his concern over parenting choices.