Question

Read the passage.

Thousands would escape . . . but for the strong cords of affection that bind them to their friends.

What is the effect of the figurative language in this passage?

It helps the reader understand that love and friendship make slaves feel trapped.

It helps the reader understand how precious friends and family are to slaves.

It helps the reader understand that a slave's friends and family often put pressure on them not to escape.

It helps the reader understand that an escaped slave can always be kidnapped and returned to his owner.

Answer 1

Answer: the answer is b

Answer 2

The correct answer is: It helps the reader understand how precious friends and family are to slaves.

Indeed, slavery was a complex issue and several situations were possible for slaves. They would prefer not to escape and abandon dear friends and family. They would escape in order to later come and help friends and family escape. They would not have any friends or family but were too afraid to attempt escape. They would have no friends and family and thus would attempt escape.

The only constant value within these options is that they would always value friends and family if they had them.