Final answer:
The selection's main idea is most closely aligned with option c) 'Richard felt that being poor was humiliating,' given that the excerpts discuss the psychological impact and social perceptions of poverty, and how it affects dignity and self-respect.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sentence that best expresses the main idea of the selection is most likely option c) Richard felt that being poor was humiliating. This concept captures the sentiment that is threaded throughout the various excerpts presented. These passages explore the attitudes, struggles, and identity of those living in poverty and how it impacts their lives both psychologically and in society.
From servile deference to the wealthy, to the personal identification with the poor, to the challenges faced by writers like Dorothy and William who grappled with near-poverty conditions, to the broader social concerns about how to assist the impoverished, each perspective highlights the theme of dignity in the face of economic hardship.
The passages collectively showcase the feeling of humiliation and social degradation associated with poverty, thus supporting the idea that Richard's sense of humiliation is a central theme of the selection.