Question

15. "Was he an animal if music could captivate him

so? It seemed to him that he was being shown
the way to the unknown nourishment he had
been yearning for." (Paragraph 73) How do
these lines contribute to the overall meaning of
the story?

Answer 1

In these lines, the narrator describes a scene in which music took over her life. The use of this positive imagery immediately draws the reader into the story. These vivid descriptions effectively convey to the reader what it would be like to be overcome by music. The author's use of words like "unknown nourishment," "yearning" and "captivate" creates an overall sense of wonder, mystery and fascination to the reader.

Answer 2

The lines from the story emphasize the theme that the human affinity for art, such as music, can provide spiritual nourishment and elevate one's experience beyond mere survival, contributing to the story's deeper message about the human condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

The lines, highlight the transformative power of art, in this case, music, to so deeply influence someone that it becomes a source of spiritual or emotional sustenance. This reflection demonstrates a moment of enlightenment for the character, proposing that his appreciation for music elevates him beyond his beast-like state. Such a metamorphosis is indicative of a theme that explores the concept of the human condition and what truly separates mankind from animals. The character's yearning for music as 'unknown nourishment' illustrates a quintessential human desire for connection and understanding through art, which is an element that often contributes to the overall meaning of a story, linking it to larger, universal questions about humanity and self-actualization.