Question

I could not help contrasting the way in which

the average landsman would give an order,
with the mate's way of doing it. If the
landsman should wish the gang-plank moved
a foot farther forward, he would probably say:
"James, or William, one of you push that
plank forward, please;" but put the mate in
his place and he would roar out: "Here, now,
start that gang-plank for'ard! Lively, now!
WHAT're you about! Snatch it! SNATCH it!
There! there! Aft again! aft again! don't you
hear me."
-Life on the Mississippi,
Mark Twain
What does Twain's use of dialect reveal about the
mate? Check the two boxes that apply.
a The mate lacks manners.
b The mate dislikes his job.
c The mate is disrespectful.
d The mate does not control his emotions.

Answer 1

Mark Twain's portrayal of the mate in 'Life on the Mississippi' using strong dialect suggests that the mate lacks manners and does not control his emotions, as seen through his commanding and abrupt way of speaking.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mark Twain's use of dialect in the excerpt from Life on the Mississippi serves to characterize the mate's manner of command. From the choices provided, the two that accurately describe the mate based on Twain's writing would be 'The mate lacks manners' and 'The mate does not control his emotions'. This is evident from the imperative and abrupt tone, alongside the use of exclamation marks, demonstrating the mate's lack of polite forms of request and his impulsive delivery of commands. The mate's manner of speaking stands in sharp contrast to the more courteous landsman way, therefore highlighting the mate's brusque behavior and emotional immediacy in his communication style.