Question

Mr. and Mrs. Farquar … asked the scientist to lunch. … Gideon … said grudgingly: “The Big Baas want to know what medicine I used?” He spoke incredulously, as if he could not believe his old friends could so betray him. Mr. Farquar began explaining how a useful medicine could be made out of the root, and how it could be put on sale, and how thousands of people … could be saved by the medicine. … [T]hey all realized he would never give in. The magical drug would remain where it was, unknown and useless except for the tiny scattering of Africans who had the knowledge … power and wisdom.

In “No Witchcraft for Sale” by Doris Lessing, how does Gideon’s cultural background affect his actions with the medicinal plant?


A. Gideon’s position as a leader in the native community requires him to be kind to the scientist.


B.Gideon’s position as Teddy’s caregiver leads him to give away the name of the medicinal root.


C. Gideon’s position as a tribal medicine man dictates that he not betray the secret to outsiders.


D. Gideon’s position as a servant to the family demands that he tell the Farquars what they want to know.

Answer 1

C. Gideon’s position as a tribal medicine man dictates that he not betray the secret to outsiders.

In the passage it states that "[T]hey all realized he would never give in." This best shows that Gideon will not reveal the medicine he used. This means that any answer which shows he did give away the medicine information is incorrect. Options C and D are eliminated. Option A can also be eliminated because it only encourages kindness to the scientist, it does not say anything about his actions with the medicinal plant.

Answer 2

C. Gideon’s position as a tribal medicine man dictates that he not betray the secret to outsiders.