Question

What does the following metaphor suggest about the lawyer's emotional state during his imprisonment: "His reading suggested a man swimming in the sea among the wreckage of his ship and trying to save his life by greedily clutching first at one spar and then at another".

(from the story "The Bet").
a) He feels calm and composed despite the difficult situation.
b) He is overwhelmed and desperate, trying to survive amidst chaos.
c) He is enjoying the challenge and views it as an adventure.
d) He is detached and indifferent, showing no emotional response.

Answer 1

The metaphor suggests that the lawyer is overwhelmed and desperate during his imprisonment, similar to a shipwreck survivor struggling to stay afloat in a tumultuous sea, indicating answer b) as correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The metaphor describing the lawyer's emotional state during his imprisonment suggests that he is feeling overwhelmed and desperate, akin to a survivor of a shipwreck trying to stay afloat by any means possible. This imagery implies that he is grappling with a chaotic situation, clutching at his readings as if they were pieces of debris that could save him in a sea of isolation and existential crisis. The metaphor evokes a sense of frantic scrambling for survival, not calmness or enjoyment, and certainly not detachment. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is: b) He is overwhelmed and desperate, trying to survive amidst chaos.