Question

(Dominant message must be the main idea but I'm having a tough time understanding.) Please and thank you :( "I had committed myself to doing it when I sent for the rifle. A sahib has got to act like a sahib; he has got to appear resolute, to know his own mind and do definite things. To come all that way, rifle in hand, with two thousand people marching at my heels, and then to trail feebly away, having done nothing--no, that was impossible. The crowd would laugh at me. And my whole life, every white man's life in the East, was one long struggle not to be laughed at." In six to eight sentences, explain the dominant message of this passage and the methods the author uses to support the message.

Answer 1

Oh hello again! The main idea in this is many people will laugh at you for mistakes but you have to take it in. Like here "And my whole life every white man's life in the east" Which is saying most parts of the world would not expect nice people. Main Idea: Mistakes happen but just take it in, and make it better. Its funny how he's struggles not to be laughed at.

Answer 2

In order to understand this passage, it would be useful to have some context. In this passage, the author describes the life of a British official living in the East during colonial times. We learn that he is committed to doing something in order to appear strong, even though he is not sure that it really is the best thing to do. In these lines, the main idea conveyed is that the protagonist feels forced to act in a certain way due to his position as a representative of government. This is meant to show how colonialism was not always a positive experience for those belonging to the empire. The author conveys this message by using devices such as internal dialogues and vivid language.