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In the short story "Arrangement in Black and White", the phrase that best describes the perspective of the main character is _____.

A. well-intentioned, but intolerant
B. well-intentioned, but ignorant
C. intolerant, but deceptive
D. intolerant, but refined

User EoinS
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2 Answers

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B. well-intentioned, but ignorant

User Yordan Yanakiev
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Answer: The right answer is the B) Well-intentioned, but ignorant.

Explanation: The main character if this short story by American writer Dorothy Parker is a talkative and arguably naive woman who has been invited to a party in honor of a Black musician. She asks her host to introduce her to him, since she seems to be passionate about his music, and although she is well-intentioned in her judgements about him and about Black people, which she shares with her host, she is also very ignorant and prejudiced. For instance, at some point she describes them in these terms: "They’re just like children, just as easy-going, and always singing and laughing and everything. Aren’t they the happiest things you ever saw in your life? Honestly, it makes me laugh just to hear them." After she finally meets her idol, she reflects upon their encounter with her host. She concludes by saying that, "unlike many other colored people [...] he's got more sense," and admits that she "could hardly keep a straight face" when talking to him, since she kept thinking about her (racist) husband. She has genuine good feelings and she means well, but she does not know better, she is ignorant and has been definitely influenced and misled by those who surround her.

User TangoAlee
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