Question

"Read the excerpt from ""America and I.""

Great chances have come to me. But in my heart is always a deep sadness. I feel like a man who is sitting down to a secret table of plenty, while his near ones and dear ones are perishing before his eyes. My very joy in doing the work I love hurts me like secret guilt, because all about me I see so many with my longings, my burning eagerness, to do and to be, wasting their days in drudgery they hate, merely to buy bread and pay rent. And America is losing all that richness of the soul.

Which statement best describes how the word choice contributes to the overall tone conveyed in this excerpt?
a. The narrator's use of neutral language suggests a tone of objectivity
b. The narrator's use of informal language contributes to a tone of nonchalance
c. The narrator's use of expressive language creates a tone of melancholy
d. The narrator's use of positive words conveys a tone of optimism"

Answer 1

The narrator's use of expressive and evocative language in the excerpt from "America and I" creates a tone of melancholy, emphasizing feelings of sadness and guilt. The correct answer is option c.

Step-by-step explanation:

The word choice in the excerpt from "America and I" contributes to a tone of melancholy. The narrator's use of expressive language, such as 'deep sadness,' 'secret guilt,' and 'burning eagerness,' underscores a profound sense of sorrow and longing. This sadness stems from the contrast between the narrator's opportunities and the drudgery faced by others, which leads to a feeling of guilt even when engaging in beloved work.

Moreover, the reference to 'richness of the soul' being lost in America adds to the somber tone, suggesting a collective loss beyond individual struggles.