Question

Based on this excerpt from Ernest Hemingway's "In Another Country," what is the contextual meaning of the word resign?

"I am sorry," he said, and patted me on the shoulder with his good hand. "I would not be rude. My wife has just died. You must forgive me."

"Oh-" I said, feeling sick for him. "I am so sorry."

He stood there biting his lower lip. "It is very difficult," he said. "I cannot resign myself."

He looked straight past me and out through the window. Then he began to cry. "I am utterly unable to resign myself," he said and choked. And then crying, his head up looking at nothing, carrying himself straight and soldierly, with tears on both cheeks and biting his lips, he walked past the machines and out the door.
A.
accept it
B.
assume it
C.
explain it
D.
defend it

Answer 1

The word resign have different meanings, however, the excerpt gives a clear context to infer what this word is about. In this context, resign means to make oneself accept a situation or a fact with calmness, to accept it as inevitable, without resistance. In the excerpt, the man has just lost his wife and he feels that he can nor resign himself to it. Indeed, death sometimes is a very difficult thing to process, and accept as true, as for many it is seen as painful, uncertain or beyond our control. Therefor the answer is A. Accept It.

Answer 2

Answer: Accept it

Step-by-step explanation:

In Another Country," the contextual meaning of the word resign from the options is "accept it".

Despite the fact that "resign" can be used to mean different things, in this case, the man said that "he cannot resign himself" which simply means that it's hard for him to accept that his wife is dead.

Resign in the excerpt means to accept a situation without any form of resistance.