Final answer:
The passage from "The First Seven Years" by Bernard Malamud shows Feld's belief in education for advancement and its broader significance for individuals, society, and the world.
Step-by-step explanation:
This passage from "The First Seven Years" by Bernard Malamud contributes to the story's main idea by showing Feld's belief in education for advancement. The passage emphasizes that education is a path to achievement and fulfillment for individuals, a path to a free and civilized society for the nation, and a path to peace for the world. It highlights the importance of education in placing reason over force and promoting progress.