Question

Select the correct answer from the drop-down menu. Look at the details in paragraph 12. [12] "I was put in the cellar under the courthouse. It was a cold, terrible place, without heat, damp and dark. I slept in my clothes by day, and at night I fought great sewer rats with a beer bottle." How is the central idea developed from these details? The author uses details that show the harsh conditions she endured to develop the idea that she thought ending unfair working conditions was worth great sacrifices.

Answer 1

The text uses descriptive details to convey the extent of hardships individuals endured, highlighting their resilience and the sacrifices made for change. This approach serves to reinforce the central theme of enduring harsh conditions in the pursuit of better circumstances.

Step-by-step explanation:

The central idea in the provided text extracts is developed through the vivid portrayal of extreme hardship and survival in oppressive conditions. The details highlighted in the passages show individuals in various states of suffering, whether it's battling severe weather while working, fighting rats in dark storage rooms, or enduring the deprivations in prison camps. The authors use these rich descriptions to underscore the resilience and hardships of the people, thereby deepening our understanding of their experiences and the central themes of survival and the human spirit under harsh circumstances.

The passage displays how the author uses harsh conditions to develop the idea that the character thought ending unfair working conditions was worth great sacrifices. Vividly conveying the scenario of fighting rats or experiencing the biting cold, the author emphasizes the extent of suffering people are willing to endure for the prospect of effecting change. This narrative style, often associated with writers like Dickens, utilizes detailed descriptions to transport the reader into the character's situation, essentially demanding a deeper engagement with the central message of sacrifice and struggle.

Answer 2

The central idea in paragraph 12 is conveyed through vivid descriptions of the harsh conditions faced by the narrator, showing her sacrifices for fighting unfair working conditions. The use of such details is consistent across various literary excerpts, illustrating physical and psychological hardships that underscore resilience in the face of adversity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The central idea in paragraph 12 is developed through the use of vivid imagery and harrowing details to illustrate the extreme and harsh conditions the narrator endured. The details of being confined in a dark, cold, and damp cellar, wearing the same clothes day and night, and combating sewer rats with a beer bottle, serve to highlight the sacrifices the narrator made in the struggle against unfair working conditions. This narrative technique emphasizes the severity of the situation and the resilience and determination of the narrator, which align with the broader theme of fighting against the odds for the sake of a just cause.

Details from the various passages mentioned also paint a picture of the physical and psychological toll of inhumane conditions, whether it be the extreme labor conditions described by Frederick Douglass, the confinement and perceived sanctuary described by another character, or the unsanitary environment depicted in Upton Sinclair's narrative of the meatpacking industry. These descriptions serve to develop the idea that those who endured such circumstances often faced a diminished quality of life, and yet some found within themselves the strength to continue fighting for change.