Question

In "Examination Day" by Henry Slesar, Dickie is killed because his intelligence is considered too high by the government. Why do you think the government wouldn't want people to be too smart? How might the government's actions be motivated by fear?

A) The government wants to encourage a society of intellectuals.
B) The government fears that highly intelligent individuals may pose a threat to the existing order.
C) The government is trying to reduce competition for jobs.
D) The government believes high intelligence causes societal disruption.

Answer 1

The government's actions may be motivated by fear because they perceive highly intelligent individuals as a threat to the existing order.

Step-by-step explanation:

The government's actions in the story 'Examination Day' may be motivated by fear because they fear that highly intelligent individuals may pose a threat to the existing order. This is option B in the given choices. The government is concerned that highly intelligent people may challenge their authority and disrupt the social and political structure. They fear that these individuals may question the government's decisions and lead to rebellion or revolution.

By eliminating individuals with high intelligence, the government aims to maintain control and prevent any potential threats to their power. This fear-driven motivation prompts the government to implement extreme measures, such as killing Dickie, to ensure the dominance of the existing order.