Question

When my sisters and I cared too much about our appearance, my mother would tell us how Trujillo's vanity knew no bounds. How in order to appear taller, his shoes were specially made abroad with built-in heels that added inches to his height. How plumes for his Napoleonic hats were purchased in Paris and shipped in vacuum-packed boxes to the Island. How his uniforms were trimmed with tassels and gold epaulettes and red sashes, pinned with his medals, crisscrossing his chest. How he costumed himself in dress uniforms and ceremonial hats and white gloves—all of this in a tropical country where men wore guayaberas in lieu of suit jackets, short-sleeved shirts worn untucked so the body could be ventilated. My mother could go on and on.

–“A Genetics of Justice,”
Julia Alvarez

Which statement correctly analyzes how the passages work together to develop a central idea?

Alvarez shows how Trujillo’s appearance was central to his power.
Alvarez shows how her mother loved Trujillo’s style and appearance.
Alvarez shows how Trujillo’s style of dress covered up the ugliness within.
Alvarez shows how Trujillo was always careful when selecting his clothing and accessories.

Answer 1

The passages collectively highlight Rafael Trujillo's use of lavish, specially-made attire to assert his authority and separate himself from the populace, reinforcing the idea that his appearance was central to his power.

Step-by-step explanation:

The passages provided work together to develop a central idea that Rafael Trujillo's emphasis on personal appearance and lavish attire was an extension of his authoritative power and vanity. The detailed description of Trujillo's attire, with his shoes specially made abroad with built-in heels and his Napoleonic hats, underscores the lengths to which he went to craft an image of grandeur and dominance. It contrasts starkly with the traditional and practical clothing worn by men in the tropical Dominican Republic, where Trujillo was dictator. This contrast highlights how Trujillo's self-presentation was not just about personal style but also about setting himself apart from and above the populace, aligning with the statement that Alvarez shows how Trujillo’s appearance was central to his power.

In the context of historical and cultural significance of clothing, various examples demonstrate how attire and adornments can signal status, identity, and power. Whether it's in the context of Venezuelan beauty pageants, where clothing and transformation through surgery amplify standards of femininity, or the portrayal of colonial Latin American nobility, where attire conveyed social hierarchy, clothing acts as a powerful communicator of standing and influence. Trujillo's use of ostentatious dress serves a similar purpose, reinforcing his rule through visual impact and distinction from ordinary citizens.